[writmeister]

Having lived in a state with the retention system (Missouri) and a state with the election system (Texas), I can tell you that an elected judiciary is infinitely preferable. The retention system simply does not work (unless your secret goal is lifetime appointments) because judges are almost never un-retained.

In my experience practicing law, I can tell that there is nothing worse than a judge who thinks he/she is invulnerable.

[merrin]

In my experience practicing law, I can tell that there is nothing worse than a judge who thinks he/she is invulnerable.

This can be solved by impeaching judges who refuse to follow the law.

[nanny]

There are pros and cons to that.

In Texas I understand the largest funders for judges' campaigns are trial lawyers - that does seem to present a conflict of interest to me, and make way for a lot of skullduggery.

Now an appointed judge has the blight of just being a political - well appointee.

I think maybe appointment with term limits would help, but I don't know how to fix the case of lawyers funding judges' campaigns.

[ThJ1800]

You mention Missouri, and Steven(?) Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh's cousin, was here in Texas today testifying on a retention system.
He was on the Senate floor, which is how I know he was in Austin today. If I can find out what committee he was testifying before, I get a link up to the video.