To the Editor:

Some of us may be confused about the many judicial contests. However, the name of one candidate is important to remember — Steve Ellis is running for the Davis seat in the 30th Judicial District, which comprises Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.

Steve Ellis has the most experience of any candidate — 25 years of courtroom experience in a wide range of cases, including three years as assistant district attorney and more than six years representing the Haywood County Department of Social Services in its court cases for abused and neglected children. For an appointment to an open judicial seat last year, Steve received the most votes from the attorneys of our seven-county district, more than twice as many as the next candidate. This shows that attorneys in the district, including prosecutors and defense attorneys, know Steve would be a fair and impartial judge.

Steve is a Lay Leader for the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. He is a member of the board of directors of Wilderness Trail, a backpacking ministry and is a former youth sports coach in his community. He is not associated with any special interest group. 

Please remember Steve Ellis when you go to vote.

Carole Larivee

Waynesville