Fresno County voters will judge the judges this June, with seven open Superior Court seats on the ballot.

It may be unprecedented to have that many open judicial seats in a single election. Court watchers GV Wire spoke with said they cannot recall a similar situation in decades.

The deadline to file a declaration of intention — the first set of paperwork for judicial candidates — expired Feb. 4. Because seven incumbents are not seeking re-election, the deadline for those races was extended until Monday.

Several candidates filed on the final day, nearly locking in the ballot for the June 2 election.

Candidates will have additional paperwork to file with the Fresno County Clerk’s Office. Incumbents must file by March 6, while candidates in open races have until March 11.

Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters James Kus said that while no additional candidates can enter the races, those who have filed could still withdraw before the filing deadlines.

Only one of the seven races without an incumbent will be uncontested. In the races with three candidates, if no one wins a majority in June, the top two will advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.

If all candidates complete their filing requirements, the races break down as follows:

Seat 3: Rosalina Nunez Manfreda, Marc Kapetan

Nunez Manfreda is a family law and bankruptcy attorney. She did not return messages seeking comment.

Kapetan is a criminal defense and personal injury attorney with 34 years of practice. He also hosts a radio program on KMJ and plays in a rock band.

“It comes a time in a person’s life where it’s just time to attain the most you can out of your profession. It seemed like the time was right,” Kapetan said.

Kapetan said his experience and family reputation in the legal community help set him apart. He practices law with his brother Peter; his brother Jon is a retired judge; and his sister-in-law, Kristi Culver Kapetan, is a current judge.

“We’ve always had a good name, even before we were attorneys. You treat people right and hopefully they’ll remember that and respect you at times like this,” Kapetan said.

Court Commissioner Katherine Fogarty pulled papers to declare her intention to run but did not return them or pay the filing fee, according to election records. Kus said that means she is no longer a candidate.

Incumbent Judge Gregory Fain is not seeking re-election.

Seat 6: Ashley Paulson, Deidre Adams, Steven Ueltzen

Ueltzen, the lead prosecutor in the DUI unit at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office since 2015, filed his declaration and paid the filing fee on Monday, the final day to do so. He said the delay was due to his involvement in a murder trial.

“The transition from prosecutor to judge is a natural one. Both roles are charged with pursuing justice,” Ueltzen said.

Incumbent Judge Jonathan Conklin opted not to seek re-election. Ueltzen said succeeding Conklin was a motivating factor in his decision to run.

“He was absolutely the gold standard of judicial officers. The idea of having a gavel with his name on it would be an extreme honor,” Ueltzen said.

Paulson practiced for 11 years with both the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and since last year has worked with the Fresno City Attorney’s Office. Her experience includes assignments in homicide and gang enforcement.

Adams works with the Fresno County Law Offices of the Public Defender.

Ueltzen said he has worked with Paulson and against Adams in court.

“She’s a zealous advocate for her clients. We have absolutely butted heads in the past, but she’s a competent litigator,” Ueltzen said of Adams.

Paulson and Adams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Seat 7: Jeff Hammerschmidt, Jose L. Salazar, Curtis Bonghoon Sok

Hammerschmidt is a veteran criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor with 39 years of legal experience.

He said Judge D. Tyler Tharpe, whom he hopes to succeed, has endorsed his campaign. Tharpe is not seeking re-election.

Salazar, who filed on Monday, has worked in the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office for six years and has practiced law for 10 years overall. He was born and raised in Sanger.

He acknowledges that he is an “underdog in this race.”

“I’m not an insider, but I think the bench needs somebody with my working-class background,” Salazar said.

Salazar said that while in high school, he worked in packing houses.

“I can relate to everyday people, but more importantly, I can follow the law,” Salazar said.

Sok is a private attorney focusing on criminal and immigration law. His website states he has more than 25 years experience.

Seat 8: Daniel Brickey

Brickey is a court commissioner and the sole candidate in the race, though it will still appear on the ballot.

He has practiced law for nearly 15 years, with experience in private practice and at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office.

Judge David Gottlieb is not running for re-election.

Seat 9: Noelle Pebet, Eddie Ruiz

Pebet is a court commissioner.

Ruiz is a private attorney who primarily practices criminal defense.

Both are seeking to succeed Judge Elizabeth Egan, who is not seeking re-election.

Seat 12: Miles Harris, Jennifer L. Smith

Harris is a criminal defense and civil attorney.

Smith is a veteran prosecutor with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.

They are seeking to succeed Judge John Vogt, who is not seeking re-election.

Seat 14: Jennifer Hamilton, Jamie Kang Xiong-Vang

Hamilton is a court commissioner.

Xiong-Vang is an administrative law judge with the California Department of Social Services.

Judge Kimberly Nystrom-Geist is not seeking re-election.

Incumbent judges running unopposed are Monica Diaz, Houry Sanderson, Melissa Baloian, Gabriel Brickey, Amy Guerra, Lisa Gamoian, Jeffrey Hamilton, James Kelley Jr., Raj Badhesha, Mary Vasquez, and Maria Diaz.

Uncontested races featuring an incumbent judge will not appear on the ballot, and those judges will be declared elected.