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There may not be as many seats available as in previous years, but the race to become a judge in Philadelphia is just about as crowded as usual.

As of the March 12 deadline to get on the ballot for 2019 judicial races, 41 contenders have filed to vie for six open seats on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Thirteen candidates have also filed to fill one vacancy in the Municipal Court. All but two of the Municipal Court candidates are also seeking spots on the Common Pleas bench.

The crowded field is only slightly fewer than the 50 candidates who fought for nine open seats on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas bench in 2017, and the 47 candidates who fought for 12 open seats on the Common Pleas bench and three Municipal Court slots in 2015.

As for why the number of available seats is down, observers pointed to the amendment passed in late 2016 that raised the age of judicial retirement from 70 to 75.

As for why the number of candidates remains high, observers said the job comes with a good salary, benefits and prestige, as well as an opportunity to serve the public.

“People who want to serve as judge and who want to serve the public in that way, that desire isn't going to go away based on the number of slots,” election attorney Adam Bonin said.

Jeff Jubelirer also noted that a judgeship can be seen as capstone on a legal career, or a launching points for other political endeavors, noting that former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham was a judge for decades before taking on the role of Philadelphia's top prosecutor.

See the List of Candidates:

Although interest remains high, observers also noted that the number of candidates is likely to drop significantly when ballot placement is determined, which is often the largest factor in determining outcome. In 2017, the top four vote-getters were listed on the ballot as first, second, 25th and third on the ballot, respectively.

The ballot placement is expected to be set March 20.

Jubelirer noted that party endorsement is another stage where the field is likely to narrow.

“If you go against the party, you have to go to the wards to get them to put your name on the sample ballots,” Jubelirer said. “But it's still not going to be as big an effort as the party.”

The current field includes multiple candidates who are running for at least the second time and several familiar faces, including Beth Grossman, who ran unsuccessfully against Larry Krasner in the 2017 race to become Philadelphia's district attorney. According to the Department of State, Grossman is also the only candidate that is running on both the Democratic and Republican tickets.

Court watchers also lauded the field for its diversity.

Although currently the field is skewed heavily white—with at least 32 candidates being white and seven being African-American—there is more parity when it comes to gender, with 19 women and 22 men running. Also, if elected, Kay Yu would become Pennsylvania's first Korean-American judge, and Henry Sias would become the first transgender man in the country to be elected judge.