Mendenhall gets Republican nod for judge | Local

Voters decided that the argument of 56-year-old Forbes — that to be a judge, it helps if you have some experience — wasn’t convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. A former chief public defender before his appointment, Forbes had also pointed out that a poll among members of the Illinois State Bar Association had given him the stamp of “recommended” for keeping the judge’s gavel. 

More support came from leading members of the Central Illinois legal establishment. Forbes’ campaign was chaired by retired Macon County Circuit Court Presiding Judge A.G. Webber, who said no one was better qualified to deserve the nod from voters than Forbes.

Mendenhall, however, had pleaded that judges choosing judges was just what the electorate didn’t need or want. A partner with Bolen, Robinson and Ells LLP, the attorney argued that it was time for a fresh face and fresh perspective as a judge; and jurists are not not required to have experience as a judge to run for election.

“I think we need a judge who is going to protect the law-abiding citizens and the victims in this community,” he had said.

Speaking Tuesday night, he added: “It’s been over 20 years since Macon County had an opportunity to elect a judge instead of a judge essentially becoming a circuit judge by default. I think voters were ready to make that choice and that is why we have the system we have.”

Forbes accepted the result graciously Tuesday and said he had run a solid campaign. “I had a lot of supporters and made a lot of friends along the way,” he said. “I just hand it to my opponent that he ran a strong and well-organized campaign and, in the event he wins in the general election, I look forward to working with him on the bench.”

Weatherford, his Democratic challenger, also has no prior experience of serving as a judge but has both an extensive civil and criminal law track history as a partner with the legal firm Johnson, Chiligiris & Weatherford.