Two attorneys will face off for a judicial bench seat in Ford County in the march 18th primary election. A vacancy was created with the announced resignation of Circuit Judge Stephen Pacey.

Attorney Ellen Lee of Paxton and Ross Sorensen of Loda are announced candidates in the March 18 election.

The 58-year-old Ellen Lee is the husband of former Ford County State's Attorney Tony Lee. She has practiced law for more than 30 years, including the last 19 years in Gibson City. She has also served as legal counsel for Gibson City and Gifford. Currently, Lee is the attorney for Elliott, Roberts and Sibley.

Sorensen is 30-years-old, a practicing-associate with the Martensen and Niemann law firm in Paxton. He's also the attorney for both the city of Paxton and the Paxton Park District.

He is a member of the Ford County Drug Court Team and a founding member off the Iroquois Foundation for Behavioral Health in support of the Iroquois Mental Health Center.

The Illinois Supreme Court has the option of appointing an interim judge or leave the seat vacant until after the election.

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