News-Record.com

I recently received this e-mail from reader Ellen Gerber, a High Point attorney:

"In the past 2 or 3 years you have not endorsed candidates for the NC Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. That decision is most unfortunate because these are the very races that people know least about.

"As someone who always works a poll on election day for judicial candidates, I know that virtually nobody knows who they want to vote for. Even those who get and read the judicial guides are left without any guidance as to who is best.

"This year the only statewide elections are for these seats. Turnout will be low. It is imperative that your readers get some guidance as to how to vote. In my view, these seats are far more important than any single legislative seat. Perhaps that is why other papers such as the Charlotte Observer continue to endorse judicial candidates.

"Please, please reconsider your decision and do judicial endorsements. We need them."

Actually, we have endorsed for the state Supreme Court races for as long as I can remember, but we have not always endorsed for the state Court of Appeals.

However, we will endorse in all statewide judicial races in this election. Doug Clark has taken these races as an election beat and will interview all of the candidates (see his column on judicial elections today).

We agree that it's a valuable reader service. Whether readers agree or disagree with our choices, at least they'll know more about the candidates and their qualifications.