The Backyard Batting Cage

To get to the general election, Knoblock faced tough opposition in St. David resident Bruce Staggs and Benson resident Eliot Montijo.

According to the unofficial results, Knoblock defeated his opponents with 885 votes. Staggs took second with 577 votes and Montijo garnered 501 votes.

There were a reported 37 write-in votes.

A grateful Knoblock said he is looking forward to the general election against Sorensen and Judd.

"I appreciate the support from the voters. In the general election, I will stick with my message," Knoblock said. "I want to stick with my goal to keep Benson a safe place and eliminate crime. Virgil ran for this job in the past and I won. I feel the public is happy with what I'm doing and will support me because crime is down."

Knoblock said criminal cases in his court have decreased by 20 percent, and repeat offenders are down 50 percent.

Democratic candidate Sorensen, said he wants to serve the community fairly.

"I have no connection to a local business or family," he said. "I have no law enforcement background and I think it will help people know they will be treated fairly."

Sorensen, a longtime Benson teacher, is an 18-year Benson resident.

Judd, a local educator, is running as an independent in 2010, after running as a Republican candidate in 2006.

Judd is the son of former Cochise County Sheriff Jimmy Judd, who also held the JP3 seat for several terms. He is a retired Tucson police officer and former Mohave County sheriff's deputy and detention officer.

Judd said running as a Republican in 2006, the votes were split down the middle, but several years ago, he realized a judge shouldn't be affiliated with a party.

"I feel that every judge in the nation should be non-partisan, and never lean toward any one party," he said. "I am running because I feel I can do a better job and make a bigger difference in the community."

Judd said one of his biggest concerns is the growing drug problem in the community, noting that there are too many cases going through the court.

With certification as a Drug Recognition Expert, Judd said he can assist officers more, and he has the training to identify what kind of drugs a suspect is taking in a matter of minutes.

Judd said he is also more qualified because of his community service, from his coaching little league teams to volunteer work.

There are no candidate debates scheduled at this time.

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