BISBEE — Incumbent Ann Littrell and John Kelliher Jr. will go head to head for Cochise County’s Division 4 Superior Court judge position in the general election in November, based on unofficial results of the primary election on Tuesday.

In the Democrat primary, Littrell, 55, who is serving her first term as judge, beat Mark Suagee, 60, the county’s public defender.

Littrell said she is “delighted” with the results. She said she thinks the outcome demonstrates the concerns on behalf of the voters.

“They understand that it’s not enough for a judge just to hear a case, and that a judge has to be also active in putting in place the programs and services, particularly with the juvenile court, that can help rehabilitate children and families,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the Republican primary, Kelliher, 51, an attorney in Sierra Vista, beat Roger Contreras, 42, a deputy county attorney.

Kelliher said he appreciates the help of all of his supporters. He also thanked Contreras.

“He ran a very decent campaign. He is a very good and decent human being. I am very grateful for that. I am humbled,” Kelliher said.

Some 3,880 votes went to Littrell, and 2,164 went to Suagee. Littrell received 64 percent, while Suagee got about 36 percent.

Some 4,521 votes went to Kelliher, and 1,886 votes went to Contreras. Kelliher took about 70 percent, while Contreras had about 29 percent.

During the campaign, Littrell’s opponents criticized her for being late to hearings and disorganized in court, and for giving lenient adjudications. However, Littrell countered that cases are heard and decided in a timely fashion, and she pointed out her court has passed all audits.

Kelliher said he thought Suagee would have done better against Littrell in the Democratic primary.

“He was a better candidate than she was,” Kelliher said, adding, “Unfortunately, it is more of a popularity contest than a qualification contest, because most people don’t know what is going on with that position. I will do my best to make it known.”

Now that Littrell has received the Democratic nomination, she will work to beat Kelliher in the general election in November.

“Making the first hurdle is half of the battle,” Littrell said.