Is state Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin County), fresh off a narrow victory this fall over Democrat Judy Hirsh, already angling to become a Dauphin County judge in 2009?

That's the rumor in Sunday's Patriot-News. The paper reported two, possibly three county judge positions will be open in 2009, and Piccola is the most prominent figure mentioned among the many candidates allegedly interested.

Dauphin County is scheduled to receive two additional judges, up from its current eight. Furthermore, Judge Joseph Kleinfelter might step down a year before he is up for re-election. The paper speculates that could lead to Piccola's replacing him for the remainder of his term, set to expire at the end of 2009.

Of course, Gov. Ed Rendell would nominate a replacement for Kleinfelter, and Piccola accused the governor of trying to defeat him this fall against Hirsh.

Piccola spokeswoman Colleen Greer denied to the Patriot that her boss was interested in the position. On the campaign trail, however, the senator repeatedly refused to guarantee he would finish the remainder of his term.