Appellate Court Judge James Wexstten endorsed by
36 Democratic Party county organizations and 37 party chairs in unprecedented show of unanimity
In a show of unanimity unprecedented in the Fifth Judicial District, 36 Democratic Party county organizations and the party chairs of all 37 counties have endorsed Judge James Wexstten (D-Mt. Vernon) for the Fifth District Appellate Court.
“I deeply appreciate the fact that every Democratic Party county organization that has endorsed a candidate in this race has endorsed my candidacy,” Wexstten said.
To publicize this unanimity, Wexstten kicked off a media swing that is taking him to all 37 counties in the Fifth District.
County organizations that have endorsed Wexstten are Alexander, Bond, Clay, Christian, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Saline, Shelby, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson. All 37 Democratic Party Chairmen have endorsed Wexstten.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Phil Rarick, a resident of Troy, said, “The role of a Fifth District Appellate Court judge is to review the decisions of trial judges throughout the 37 counties that make up the District. Judge Wexstten spent over 18 years as a trial judge, making those decisions every day. That’s why he was unanimously selected by the Supreme Court of Illinois to serve as judge on the appellate court. Judge Wexstten’s exceptional work has earned him a full term on the Court.”
Judge Wexstten was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court earlier this year. Wexstten has practiced law for nearly 30 years, 19 of those as a judge. He previously served two terms as Chief Judge of the Second Circuit. He is a former president of the Illinois Judges Association and he has served on numerous statewide committees to improve Illinois’ judicial system.
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Wexstten and his wife Darla have been involved in organizations to protect children. He is a former president and member of the Board of Directors of Prevent Child Abuse – Illinois. He also is founder of the Southern 30 Adolescent Center that provides emergency shelter for abused and neglected children in the 30 southernmost counties. Judge Wexstten also has been a frequent speaker for the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. His efforts earned him the Child Advocate of the Year Award from the Downstate Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Abuse.
In addition to his Democratic Party organizations, he has been endorsed by dozens of labor organizations, including the unions that make up the Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council and the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council, Laborers International Union of North America, Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council – AFL-CIO, United Mine Workers of America and United Food and Commercial Workers. |
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