State's Attorney Fitton running

Ford County State's Attorney Matt Fitton has announced he's become a third attorney to announce candidacy for a soon-to-be-vacated circuit judge's post in Ford County.

Fitton will be a Republican candidate, joining already announced-candidates Ellen Lee and Ross Sorensen.

The three will meet in the Republican primary March 18th. They all seek to replace the retiring Judge Stephen Pacey, who plans to step aside December 31st.

The winner of the primary would appear on the November general election ballot. The new judge would take office Dec. 1, 2014, although court officials said the Illinois Supreme Court could appoint the winner of the primary to the vacant seat earlier.

The 52-year-old Fitton, of Paxton, said he believes he is qualified, noting he has experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney in both criminal and civil law.

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(Ellen Lee is the wife of former Ford County State's Attorney Tony Lee. Ross Sorensen is from Loda).