Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
John E. Michel
Endorses Judge King for integrity, judicial independence, fairness, humility, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right.
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Endorsed by Trusted Madison County Leaders
Judge King has earned support from leaders who know the courtroom, know Madison County, and know what fair, constitutional justice requires.
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Latest Endorsement
John E. Michel Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
September 8, 2026 I am proud to endorse Circuit Judge Patrick King. A lifetime of service has taught me that leadership begins with character—and that public trust must be earned through integrity, fairness, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right. I support Patrick because I believe he reflects these values. Judicial independence means having the courage to follow the law without bowing to political pressure or personal influence. Fairness means listening carefully, treating every person with dignity, and ensuring everyone receives an impartial hearing. Patrick's commitment to family and community reflects the spirit of service I value deeply. The decisions made in a courtroom affect real people, real families, and the communities we call home. That responsibility demands both sound judgment and humility. For me, this endorsement comes down to trust: trust in Patrick's integrity, his commitment to an independent judiciary, and his dedication to serving our community fairly. He has my wholehearted support. John E. Michel Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Earned Trust
“public trust must be earned through integrity, fairness, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right”
Judicial Independence
“having the courage to follow the law without bowing to political pressure or personal influence”
Fair Hearings
“listening carefully, treating every person with dignity, and ensuring everyone receives an impartial hearing”
Sound Judgment
“That responsibility demands both sound judgment and humility”
Public Endorsement
Dennis Craft Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
Judge King is a fine steward of the law. He is community and family oriented. He is at all times objective and fair making decisions from the bench. Dennis Craft Retired Superintendent of Collinsville School District Current School Board Member
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Steward of the Law
“Judge King is a fine steward of the law”
Community and Family
“community and family oriented”
Objective
“at all times objective”
Fair Decisions
“fair making decisions from the bench”
Public Endorsement
Jeff Connor Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
To the Citizens of Madison County, Throughout my four decades in law enforcement—serving the residents of Madison County and leading multi-jurisdictional investigations as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis—I have learned that true public safety requires more than strong law enforcement. It requires a judicial system grounded in integrity, deep legal knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to the law. That is why I am writing to express my strong support for Circuit Judge Pat King as he seeks election to continue serving on the bench in Madison County. Pat King is a lifelong resident of Madison County who understands our communities and the people who call them home. Across his extensive legal career as a trusted attorney and now as a Circuit Judge, Pat has consistently demonstrated the qualities we need on the bench: fairness, firm adherence to the Constitution, and respect for the law. In law enforcement, we depend on judges who prepare thoroughly, act impartially, and ensure that justice is administered efficiently and equitably for every party that steps into the courtroom. Judge King's judicial temperament, combined with his years of legal practice and lifelong dedication to Madison County, makes him exceptionally qualified to continue serving as Circuit Judge. I proudly lend my personal support to Judge Pat King and encourage the voters of Madison County to retain his steady, experienced leadership on the Third Judicial Circuit bench. Sincerely, Jeff Connor Sheriff, Madison County, Illinois
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Public Safety
“true public safety requires more than strong law enforcement”
Integrity and Law
“grounded in integrity, deep legal knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to the law”
Fair and Impartial
“prepare thoroughly, act impartially, and ensure that justice is administered efficiently and equitably”
Experienced Leadership
“retain his steady, experienced leadership on the Third Judicial Circuit bench”
Public Endorsement
David Michael Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
As your elected Madison County Auditor, objectivity and independence in financial matters are responsibilities I take great pride in. That is why supporting Judge Patrick King for Madison County Circuit Judge is one of the easiest endorsements I have ever given. Judge King is honest, fair, objective, and a man of tremendous integrity. He has exactly the kind of temperament we should expect from a judge—the ability to listen carefully, weigh the facts impartially, and apply the law without bias or prejudice. I am proud to support Judge Patrick King for Madison County Circuit Judge, and I hope you will join me in voting for him. David Michael Madison County Auditor
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Objective Leadership
“objectivity and independence in financial matters are responsibilities I take great pride in”
Integrity
“honest, fair, objective, and a man of tremendous integrity”
Judicial Temperament
“the kind of temperament we should expect from a judge”
Impartial Judgment
“listen carefully, weigh the facts impartially, and apply the law without bias or prejudice”
Public Endorsement
Nick Novacich Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
I’m proud to endorse my friend, Circuit Judge Patrick King, for retention as Madison County Circuit Judge. Pat is an intelligent, hardworking, and disciplined man whose commitment to his family, his faith, and our community speaks to his character. He is dedicated to making Madison County a safer, stronger, and better place for all of us to call home. I encourage you to support Judge Patrick King in this upcoming election. Nick Novacich Madison County Coroner
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Proven Character
“commitment to his family, his faith, and our community speaks to his character”
Disciplined Leadership
“an intelligent, hardworking, and disciplined man”
Safer Madison County
“making Madison County a safer, stronger, and better place”
Public Support
“I encourage you to support Judge Patrick King”
Public Endorsement
Mike Babcock Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
I am endorsing Patrick G King for Circuit Judge for Madison County Illinois. He is a wonderful father and a fantastic husband. His judgement is sound and non bias. I am fully endorsing Patrick. Mike Babcock Madison County Treasurer
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Sound Judgment
“His judgement is sound”
Fair-Minded
“non bias”
Family Values
“a wonderful father and a fantastic husband”
Full Support
“I am fully endorsing Patrick”
Public Endorsement
Chrissy Wiley Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
August 12, 2026 To the Voters of Madison County: As Chair of the Madison County Board Judiciary Committee, I understand how important it is that people have confidence in our courts. We need judges who are fair, impartial, and committed to applying the law consistently, regardless of who is standing before them. From everything I have seen, that is exactly the kind of judge Patrick King is. I have had the opportunity to know Judge King and have found him to be genuine, approachable, and deeply committed to his family and community. He is a devoted husband and father who understands that the decisions made in a courtroom have real and lasting effects on people's lives. I believe those qualities, along with integrity, sound judgment, and respect for the law, matter greatly in the person entrusted to serve as a judge. For years, many people questioned the direction of our courts here in Madison County. I believe we have made tremendous progress by electing highly qualified judges who understand that the role of the judiciary is to fairly and faithfully apply the law, not allow politics to influence the courtroom. Judge Patrick King represents a continuation of that progress. I have always believed that titles are not what define a person. Character does. Whether someone is a county board member, a teacher, or a judge, what matters is whether that person acts with honesty, treats others with dignity and respect, and is a faithful steward of the responsibility entrusted to them. Those are qualities I see in Judge Patrick King. For these reasons, I am proud to endorse Judge Patrick King and encourage the voters of Madison County to support him. I am confident he will continue to serve our community with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law. Sincerely, Chrissy Wiley Madison County Board, District 14 Chair, Judiciary Committee
Signed Endorsement
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Fair and Impartial
“fair, impartial, and committed to applying the law consistently”
Real-Life Judgment
“courtroom decisions have real and lasting effects on people's lives”
No Politics in Court
“fairly and faithfully apply the law, not allow politics to influence the courtroom”
Character Matters
“acts with honesty, treats others with dignity and respect”
First Public Endorsement
Thomas Haine Endorses Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge
I am very happy to endorse Judge Patrick King for Circuit Judge. I have known Judge King for many years. He is dedicated to his family, church, and community. Judge Kings courtroom is a fair courtroom, where everyone gets a fair shake, our Constitutional rights are upheld, and the rule of law is strengthened. These values are of upmost importance to me, and are essential to our future in Madison county. Circuit Judge King is an excellent member of our local judiciary, and I encourage everyone to vote him in our next election.
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Each endorsement reflects the individual endorser's personal support and does not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Fair Courtroom
“Judge Kings courtroom is a fair courtroom, where everyone gets a fair shake”
Constitutional Rights
“our Constitutional rights are upheld”
Rule of Law
“the rule of law is strengthened”
Community Values
“dedicated to his family, church, and community”
Illinois State Bar Association
92
.86
RECOMMENDED — 2026
85 Attorneys Evaluated Judge King.The Verdict: 92.86.
In the 2026 ISBA Judicial Advisory Poll, participating attorney respondents rated Judge Kingacross criteria including knowledge of the law, integrity, fairness, communication, and judicial temperament. Candidates who receive 60% or more favorable responses are rated “Recommended.”
Judge King's 92.86 rating reflects strong support from the attorney respondents who participated in the ISBA Judicial Advisory Poll.
Overall Score
92.86
Respondents
85
Evaluation Year
2026
Result
Recommended
Endorsement Roll
Growing Support for Judge King
Each endorsement will be added here with the endorser's role, photo when available, full statement, and the strongest reasons they trust Judge King.
Titles and public offices are listed for identification only. Endorsements reflect the individual endorser's personal support and do not state or imply endorsement by Madison County, any county office, law-enforcement agency, public agency, department, or governmental body.
Retired Superintendent, Collinsville School District / Current School Board Member
Dennis Craft
Endorses Judge King for stewardship of the law, community and family values, objectivity, and fairness from the bench.
View full endorsement
Madison County Sheriff
Jeff Connor
Endorses Judge King for integrity, deep legal knowledge, fairness, impartiality, judicial temperament, and dedication to Madison County.
View full endorsement
Madison County Auditor
David Michael
Endorses Judge King for honesty, fairness, objectivity, integrity, impartiality, and judicial temperament.
View full endorsement
Madison County Coroner
Nick Novacich
Endorses Judge King for intelligence, hard work, discipline, character, and commitment to Madison County.
View full endorsement
Madison County Treasurer
Mike Babcock
Endorses Judge King for sound, unbiased judgment and strong personal character.
View full endorsement
Madison County Board, District 14 / Chair, Judiciary Committee
Chrissy Wiley
Endorses Judge King for fairness, impartiality, integrity, sound judgment, and respect for the law.
View full endorsement
Madison County State's Attorney
Thomas Haine
Endorses Judge King for a fair courtroom, constitutional rights, and a stronger rule of law.
View full endorsementBar Leadership
Led By Example
Judge King has served as president of three bar associations — earning the trust and respect of the legal community over two decades.
Past President
Alton-Wood River Bar Association
Served as president of the Alton-Wood River Bar Association.
Past President
Madison County Bar Association
Led the Madison County Bar Association — the primary professional organization for local attorneys.
Past President
Catholic Bar Association, Diocese of Springfield
Served as president of the Catholic Bar Association of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Additional Memberships
Tri-City Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Illinois Judges Association
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