A candidate has announced her run to be the first Latina circuit court judge in Will County in the 2022 election.

Jessica Colón-Sayre announced her candidacy for the 12th Judicial Circuit Court to fill the vacancy made by retiring Judge Michael Powers, according to a news release.

“It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Will County as a circuit court judge, following my lifelong passion of giving back to my community,” Colón-Sayre said in a statement. “I want to thank Judge Powers for his years of dedicated service to Will County and the rule of law.”

Colón-Sayre has served as an associate judge on the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Will County for more than seven years, according to the news release. She has presided over court cases involving ordinance and traffic violations, family law and criminal law matters.

Before serving as a judge, Colón-Sayre served for more than a decade as an assistant state’s attorney for Will County, where she prosecuted homicides, sex offenses, burglaries, robberies, narcotics cases and more. She previously was employed by Major League Baseball as a public relations liaison for the World Baseball Classic.

Colón-Sayre has a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from DePaul University and earned a law degree and master’s of law in literature in intellectual property from John Marshall Law School, according to the release.

Colón-Sayre and her husband of more than 20 years reside in Will County with their two young children.