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With 99 percent of precincts in, Democratic candidates William Amesbury and Tina Polachek Gartley have been elected to fill two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. As of 10:43 p.m., Amesbury had 37,125 votes, followed by Gartley with 35,482.

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Tina Polacheck Gartley declares her victory as judge.

AIMEE DILGER Photos/The Times Leader

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Luzerne County Judge candidate William Amesbury arrives at the Barney Inn in Wilkes-Barre and is met by several campaign supporters after the polls closed in Tuesday's election.

Pete G. Wilcox / Times Leader photo

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Republican Richard Hughes, 48, of Fairview Township, trailed with 30,154 votes. He is bucking a nearly 2-to-1 Democratic advantage among registered voters.

Amesbury,  61, a Wilkes-Barre district judge, won nominations on both the Democratic and Republican tickets in the May primary.

 Polachek Gartley, 43, of Plains Township, won a Democratic ballot position.

The winners will replace Michael T. Conahan, who retired before being charged with accepting improper payments in exchange for actions that benefited two privately owned juvenile detention centers, and Judge Chester Muroski, who will retire on Jan. 1.
Positons formerly held by Conahan's co-defendant Mark Ciavarella and by former judge Ann Lokuta, who is appealing her removal from the bench, also are open and would be filled by appointment by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Judges serve 10-year terms and currently are paid $161,850 per year.

Polachek Gartley, of Plains Township, has spent 18 years as a practicing attorney. The central focus of her career has been family law and protecting the rights of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
During an interview with the Times Leader editorial board, Gartley said the county court system needs more checks and balances. She wants to see a local panel formed to review sentencing patterns.

Amesbury said his diverse background and experience - having worked as a laborer, teacher, social worker, attorney and magisterial district judge - made him the most qualified candidate in the race.

They and Hughes were the victors out of 17 candidates who cross-filed for the May primary.

All results are unofficial until certified by the bureau.

The winners will replace Michael T. Conahan, who retired before being charged with accepting improper payments in exchange for actions that benefited two privately owned juvenile detention centers, and Judge Chester Muroski, who will retire on Jan. 1.
Positions formerly held by Conahan's co-defendant Mark Ciavarella and by former judge Ann Lokuta, who is appealing her removal from the bench, also are open and would be filled by appointment by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Judges serve 10-year terms and currently are paid $161,850 per year.