Why resign? Just refuse and MAKE them impeach you (they won’t).
That would be one way to force the difficult-impeachment issue. Though isn’t it true that in most states, the state supreme court does have power to can individual judges.
As stated in #4 Judges do not get to decide what laws they will and will not follow...they rule based on laws established by the legislature. Yes impeachment is the consequence and resigning was the choice. However forced impeachment (which would have happened) is not a good message to put out there. Look at the judge who failed to follow an order from a higher court demanding the removal of the 10 commandments...where did that get him? Impeached and still the 10 commandments are removed.