Schuylkill Co. voters elect Hale, Hobbs as judges
The voters Tuesday elected Common Pleas Judge Christina Hale and attorney Chris Hobbs to serve on the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas for a 10-year term.
Unofficial results show Hale with 20,723 votes, Hobbs having 19,768 and attorney James Conville with 10,807. There were 80 write-in votes. The county election board must certify all votes.
Hale was a Magisterial District Judge in Frackville for nine years prior to being appointed Common Pleas Judge to fill the vacancy of retired Judge John Domalakes. The other seat opened when Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin announced he is retiring at the end of the year.
Hale, who ran as both a Democrat and Republican, received the news via text message from someone while she was outside Roman’s Lounge & Catering in Frackville. She said Sen. David Argall saw a smile on her face and was the first to congratulate her.
She was feeling “ecstatic” “exhausted” and “elated” with the win. Hale was still at the establishment at 11:15 p.m.
“It’s a tremendous honor and a privilege to be able to serve the citizens of Schuylkill County as a judge and administer justice,” Hale said.
Her judicial experience and love of the county and community she believes resonated with the voters.
She congratulated Hobbs on his victory and Conville on running a great campaign.
“I have a lot of respect for him as a person and attorney,” she said of Conville.
Supporters of Hobbs clapped at Roma Pizza in Pottsville after learning he won. He also thanked the voters.
“This truly is a victory for Schuylkill County,” he said.
Hobbs, a Republican, said the campaign was about qualifications not politics and about experience and being judicial. He believes “hard work and experience” were the winning combination along with his devotion to the community.
He also received a call from Conville. He also congratulated Hale.
Conville, a Democrat, was at a location in Port Carbon with supporters upon learning the news.
He congratulated Hale and Hobbs.
“It’s been a clean campaign. I have nothing negative to say.”
He’s looking forward to continuing to practice law and having a good working relationship with both winners.
He thanked his supporters for their votes. This is the second time Conville ran for judge having run years ago.