Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will see just one name on the ballot for Butler County Common Pleas Court judge, but two longtime attorneys are vying to fill the seat vacated by Judge Marilyn Horan when she was appointed to the federal bench in Pittsburgh.

William “Wink” Robinson Jr. strongly believes his 30-plus years of experience make him the best candidate to fill the position. He won both the Republican and Democrat nod this spring to be the sole candidate appearing on the ballot.

However, Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale — who came in second in the polls this spring for both parties — recently mounted a write-in campaign against Robinson in hopes of giving voters a choice in what would have been a one-candidate race.

“I have courtroom experience in the form of court hearings,” Robinson said of his practicing family law for more than 30 years. “The only difference between a court hearing and a jury trial are the 12 people sitting in the box.”

Robinson cites his knowledge of Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence as critical to assuming this particular bench in the county’s common pleas court because it deals primarily with the family court division. He added that much of his practice the past 15 years has centered on hearings in family court and orphan’s court.

Vanasdale, on the other hand, considers her run for the bench as a write-in candidate the best way to proceed with her goal of fair and prompt justice to the family court. She also credits her experience with family court, stressing her personal journey of being adopted by her parents through the same court she now hopes to oversee.

“The decisions that a judge makes impact the community,” Vanasdale said, adding that she hopes to remove the stigma associated with children involved with the court system. “If I can help inspire a child or litigant in my courtroom, then I’m going to do that.”

Vanasdale said her work ethic and efficiency skills will be key to helping streamline the court process. She credits her 18 years of experience as important to her understanding of the court process and her ability to help reduce costs if elected.

“My proudest moments are when my clients are better off and didn’t let a negative circumstance define them, but rather improve their lives,” Vanasdale said.

Robinson, too, feels strongly about his work with families facing some of the most difficult decisions of their lives. He points out how a judge’s role in family court is meant to unify parties, despite the challenges of satisfying all parties involved.

Robinson said he looks to help litigants address and settle delicate matters by bringing stability and consistency to the bench. He said many of his proudest moments come from helping families reach a resolution — especially in cases involving child custody — that avoids court intervention and all the negativity and emotions it brings.

“If a judge feels a settlement could be possible, they should do whatever they can to help that happen without crossing a line into guessing facts,” Robinson said of his approach to fully weigh matters and evidence before making decisions or judgments.