Cates
Swansea attorney Judy Cates will hold off filing election papers until June in order to possibly run as an independent for St. Clair County circuit judge.
"This will give all of the voters in St. Clair County the opportunity to consider me as a candidate regardless of their party affiliation," Cates said in a press release.
Cates, a Democrat, is seeking an open seat that will be created upon the retirement of St. Clair County Circuit Judge Annette Eckert.
Cates was out of the office Tuesday and unavailable for comment.
Cates announced her intention of seeking Eckert's seat last month.
At the time, Cates indicated she would seek the seat as a Democrat.
According to news reports, St. Clair County Associate Judge Mike Cook, a fellow Democrat, also is seeking Eckert's seat and has the endorsement of the county Democratic organization.
Cates ran for appellate judge last year, but lost in the Democratic primary to James Wexstten of Mount Vernon. Wexstten went on to win the general election.
Cates announced that she will be forming a campaign fund shortly. In her bid for the appellate court, Cates and her law firm lent the campaign at least $669,000.