Local criminal defense attorney Joe Marr Wilson is the first candidate officially on the ballot to replace Judge Doug Woodburn.

According to the Potter County Republican Party, Wilson filed to seek the 108th District Court bench in next year’s Republican primary election. Wilson, a board certified criminal defense and family law attorney, is the first candidate to officially file to seek Woodburn’s seat after Woodburn was term-limited out of office by the failure of Proposition 13 last week.

Wilson previously ran for the 47th District Court bench in the 2022 Republican primary, heading to a runoff against attorney Dee Johnson. Wilson lost the runoff to Johnson, winning 44 percent of the vote.

Aside from Wilson, Samuel Brown Silverman has also announced his plans to seek the position. The 108th Judicial District is located entirely within the boundaries of Potter County.

Candidate filing will continue through Monday, December 11. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.