There's one confirmed contender for Union-Snyder County Judge Louise O. Knight's seat, but the pool of candidates is expected to widen in the next few months.

Immediately following the judge's Tuesday announcement that she won't seek retention in 2009 for the Court of Common Pleas seat, District Judge Jeffrey Mensch, 49, of Mifflinburg, confirmed his candidacy.

"I've always been involved in public service," Mensch said. "I am a judge and have judicial experience."

Also interested in the position are Snyder County District Attorney Michael Sholley, Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson, Lewisburg attorney Andrew D. Lyons and Snyder County Chief Public Defender John Reed.

"I'll certainly give this thoughtful consideration," Johnson said Tuesday.

Sholley's also keeping his options open.

"I'll be discussing it with those close to me," he said.

Money will not be a deciding factor for either of them.

Earning an annual salary of a little more than $157,441, county judges in Pennsylvania are paid only $1,000 a year more than district attorneys.

The two opponents Johnson and Sholley beat last year are also among the possible candidates for judgeship.

Lyons, who Johnson narrowly edged out in November for a fourth term as county prosecutor, said he's considering it.

"Am I interested? Yes. Would I consider running? Yes, it's a possibility," he said.

Reed, who was defeated by Sholley in the May 2007 primary for the Republican nomination, said he's also mulling a run for the bench.

Mensch isn't deterred by the potential opposition.

He said his broad law experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney and his judicial background put him in front of the pack.