Jim Wexstten is touting his experience.

Wexstten, a Democrat, is seeking reelection as a judge to the Fifth Appellate Circuit, located in Mt. Vernon. He was appointed to the court in February 2007 to fill an unexpired term. Wexstten is now seeking election in his own right to the position.

"For 18 years I served as a Circuit Judge, just as Judge (Stephen) Sawyer now does," said Wexstten, "then was appointed by the (Illinois) Supreme Court to the office of Appellate Judge."

"Now I have to run," he added. "And in this primary my opponent from the Metro East has never been a judge, so I'm asking the people to just compare our qualifications. This is the Court of Review; we review trial judges. It would seem to me the people deserve the most experienced in that position, and I'm going to ask them to consider me for that position."

When Wexstten ran for Circuit Judge he had to run as an At Large candidate. "We have 12 counties in the Second Judicial Circuit and there are three At Large judges that have to run in all 12.

Wexstten is familiar with Wabash County, and noted, "This county and these people have been so supportive over my 20-year judicial career. I'm honored with that support."

He also held court in Wabash County prior to being assigned to the Appellate Court.

Wexstten, a native of Nokomis, is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and of its law school. He moved to Mt. Vernon where he joined a firm, then opened his own law firm. After he began his judicial career he was elected Chief Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit, a position that has the responsibility of assigning 20 judges and 14 court reporters. The Chief Judge also works with 35 probation officers, 12 Circuit Clerks, State's Attorneys, numerous Public Defenders, as well as the county boards on budgetary matters.

Prior to being elected Circuit Judge he practiced law at both the state and federal levels, and in both the trial and appellate courts.

As a lawyer, Wexstten received the highest national ratings on legal ability, faithful obedience to ethical standards and professional reliability and diligence. When he won the 1988 primary, he received as many votes as his two opponents combined. And in the General Election that year he won with a plurality of 12,000 votes, 56.5 percent to 43.5 percent. He was retained as a Circuit Judge in 1994, 2000 and 2006, winning with an average of 73 percent of the vote.

In his race for the Fifth Appellate Court, Wexstten has received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, as well as 36 Democratic Party county organizations and 37 party chairmen.

"There are only seven Appellate Judges in all 37 counties of the Fifth District," Wexstten said. "Four of those are now from the Metro East area. I'm running for the seat that has traditionally been Southern Illinois representation. And I want to keep it that way because I think our people from outside the Metro East area are entitled to geographic balance and perspective that we bring..."

Wexstten said those in the Metro East area are "good people" but that they have a different perspective.

"I'm hoping that people do look at not just my qualifications, but the geographical balance on the court," he said.