A veteran Northampton County prosecutor has joined the race for an open seat on the county bench.

Abe Kassis, who has served as an assistant district attorney for 14 years, announced Wednesday he will run for the seat that's to be left vacant with the retirement of Judge Leonard Zito.

According to a news release, Kassis has handled hundreds of criminal cases, ranging from homicides to burglaries.

He also has two decades of experience in civil court through his private practice in Easton, dealing with personal injury claims, contract and real estate matters, as well custody and divorce disputes.

His campaign will be led by fellow attorney Theresa Hogan, who praised Kassis' "unique and balanced perspective."

Kassis, like the other lawyers in the race, is running for a seat that may not neccessarily be there.

Zito turned 70 on Jan. 26, which means that under Pennsylvania law he is required to retire by the end of this year.

But he and five other Pennsylvania judges have sued in Commonwealth Court, claiming that the mandatory retirement age violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I of the state Constitution.

Kassis, a Democrat, will be joined in the race by fellow attorneys Tom Carroll, Jennifer Sletvold, both Republicans, and Christopher Spadoni, also a Democrat.