Armijo – the only one of 22 Superior Court judges to draw an opponent – lagged challenger Michael Hecht. Unlike most other public offices on the ballot Tuesday, this Superior Court race will be decided in the primary election.

Armijo, a University Place resident, has been a Superior Court judge for 15 years. Previously, he served as a Municipal Court judge, a court commissioner and a City of Tacoma prosecutor.

Armijo cited his 21 years of judicial experience as evidence he should be re-elected. He also said he listens and makes fair rulings based on the law and the facts.

But he fared poorly in a recent Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association survey of local attorneys.

Armijo received the lowest grades of any Pierce County Superior Court judge for legal ability and integrity.

Hecht, a Tacoma attorney, cited that survey as evidence of Armijo’s “dismal performance.”

Hecht cited his own experience as an attorney, including business and criminal litigation, bankruptcies and other cases.

Hecht ran an unsuccessful campaign against Armijo in 2004.