Jerry Stocks Endorses Mendenhall for Circuit Judge
We are very grateful for the support of former Macon County Republican Party Chairman Jerry Stocks, who wrote the attached letter regarding his support for and endorsement of Shane. For decades, Jerry has been a key leader of the Macon County Republicans, championing conservative values in our community. Jerry and Shane also recently collaborated on a case where they represented a local school district and student athlete and were able to successfully limit the overreach of governmental control on local school districts.
Dear Prospective Republican Primary Voter,
I write to encourage you to vote Republican and to support Shane Mendenhall for Macon County Circuit Judge.
For three decades, I have worked for the election of Republican candidates. For a decade of that span, I was honored to serve as the Chairman of the Macon County Republican Party. Undeniably, some Party nominees have been more appealing than others, politely stated. However, I always held a passion for those candidates that lived and held to a view that the elected serve the people and NOT the view that the people submit to the control of the elected. I think we all know, now, how important such core view of elected officials can impact the most basic aspects of daily life for you and your families. Shane Mendenhall well understands.
For the same three decades, I have been a civil litigation attorney throughout central Illinois appearing and trying cases before scores of judges. Like Party nominees, some judges are better than others. Macon County, generally, has been blessed with stellar judges during my professional tenure. In my humble judgment, Shane Mendenhall is the best choice to continue the tradition of judicial excellence with a judicial philosophy that the Constitution exists to limit the government. The Constitution is not a license for the government to dictate to the citizen. I have every confidence that Shane recognizes the difference.
Judicial elections are not always glamorous or thrilling campaigns eliciting the attention of the voters. Yet, a trial court judge stands on the front line of the battle to check an overreaching government. The trial court judge creates the prism through which all reviewing courts see the legal issues. This Primary Election provides you the opportunity to nominate a candidate that embodies Republican values. Shane Mendenhall IS that candidate.
Why am I so confident that we can place confidence in Shane? I have watched him many years. I witnessed a discipline in his youth as he was an elite wrestler in high school, not only competing on the mat, but “wrestling” with personal family losses that would have derailed the trajectory of most. I observed his practice of law which has been successful because of hard, ethical, intelligent work and honesty to opposing counsel and the court. I see a father dedicated to his family, an avid outdoorsman, and a man raising his family in faith- all attributes that will inform his view on the bench.
Politically, Shane Mendenhall has been there to support Republican candidates before. Our Illinois Constitution provides that Circuit Judges are elected by the voter, not anointed in the judicial chamber by a few. I humbly ask that you vote for Shane Mendenhall and, if willing, contribute support to his campaign (contributions can be made online at www.shanemendenhall.com). Years from now you will say about your support for Shane, “I got that one right.”
Thank you for your kind consideration… and reading this letter to it conclusion!
Conservatively yours,
Jerry Stocks
Paid for by Mendenhall for Circuit Judge. Contributions are not tax deductible for Federal or State Taxes. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s office website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
