It appears almost a certainty that a primary election will be held in Oconto County in February of 2010 for the position of judge of the Oconto County Circuit Court.

The position is currently held by Judge Richard Delforge, who has announced his intentions of not seeking another six-year term. He has served in that capacity the past 12 years. His current term expires at the end of July 2010.

Three people have announced they will be candidates for the expected vacancy: District Attorney Jay Conley, Oconto attorney Ed Burke and Oconto Falls attorney Vance Waggoner.

If the three officially file, this means a primary will be necessary, with the top two vote winners facing each other in April in the general election.

The county has two Circuit Court judges. Besides Delforge, the other judge is Michael Judge, whose term is not scheduled to end until 2012.

Elected county judges in Wisconsin come under the jurisdiction of the state. As a result, their salaries are paid for by the state.

All judges elected serve six-year terms.