news-record.com

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Jim Wynn isn't shy about letting colleagues know when he thinks they've gone in the wrong direction.

"Judicial prudence requires us to leave these policy questions to our legislative and executive branches of government. ... Our role is to apply the law, not to make it," he wrote in a dissenting opinion to a ruling issued this summer.

Even when taking the minority position, Wynn commands respect. There may be no more distinguished member of the North Carolina judiciary -- or one who's experienced bigger disappointments.

First elected to the Court of Appeals in 1990, Wynn was appointed to the N.C. Supreme Court in 1998. He lost election that November to a full term by fewer than 4,000 votes.

The next year, he was nominated to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Clinton but was denied a confirmation hearing by Sen. Jesse Helms. Another nomination before Clinton left office was returned by President Bush.

Nevertheless, Wynn has served admirably on the state Court of Appeals over a span of nearly 18 years. In addition, he's been a top military judge in the U.S. Navy and serves as chairman of the American Bar Association's Judicial Division.

Wynn, 54, also holds a master of laws degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia. He's a national leader in his profession, a creative thinker, clear writer and champion for the rule of law. Without question, he's the strongest candidate for re-election of any judge on the statewide ballot.

His opponent is Greensboro attorney Jewel Ann Farlow, 50, who, despite practicing law for 20 years, has garnered little support locally. There's no call for a dissenting opinion in this case: Wynn should be re-elected.