Jackson Citizen Patriot Endorses
Thomas D. Wilson for Circuit Court

Jackson County's judicial races present voters with a classic irony. Four local attorneys -- Phillip Berkemeier, James Fleming, Diane Rappleye and Thomas Wilson -- are vying for two judgeships, one in circuit, the other in probate court. But in order to win the right to sit in judgment of others, these candidates must first be judged themselves.

There is good news on that point. Each of the four candidates is equipped by experience and education to serve Jackson County capably if elected. So the choice of whom to vote for in each race comes down to nuances and preferences. What matters is the candidates, their personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and their capacity to handle such awesome responsibilities as these: Sending men or women to prison, freeing them, deciding whom to give a second chance, taking children away from parents, deciding which family members have a better case in the disposal of personal wealth from estates.

Circuit Court. With the pending retirement of Circuit Judge Charles Nelson, a seat is opened up. Though Nelson handles a criminal load, his docket will be assumed in January by Judge John McBain. So the new judge will actually be taking McBain's docket in family court.

Competing to fill that family-court role are attorneys Wilson and Fleming. Both men have similar backgrounds -- raised in Jackson, married with three children, law degrees earned in Detroit and 17 years in private practice.

One striking difference in this race is that many local attorneys and public officials have endorsed Wilson. In part, that reflects the advantage of one who has a political background: Wilson served on the county board of commissioners and in 1992 ran in the congressional primary for the seat that Nick Smith won. In part, it reflects the reality that Wilson is a people person. Disarming in his honesty, he gives you every reason to trust him.

Fleming flips the endorsement advantage on its head, arguing that judges shouldn't be lining up the political support of attorneys. Their obligation is to serve the public, not to face daily pressures to rule in favor of their political supporters in court. That sounds good, but we're told Fleming himself sought some endorsements. Furthermore, we tend to think that fellow attorneys and courthouse personnel come in contact with each other enough to know who is capable to serve as a judge. In that sense, endorsements from colleagues are important.

Having interviewed both candidates, we think the central issue is temperament. For family court, a sitting judge should be one whose temperament should encourage, not edginess and tension, but restraint and professional calm.

We think Wilson better fits that role and therefore is best-suited for this job. We recommend that voters elect Thomas Wilson as circuit court judge.

Originally published in the Jackson Citizen Patriot on October 31, 2006