By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County associate judge is asking voters for a promotion to a full judgeship.

William Yoder announced to a gathering of friends, colleagues, and family on Thursday that he’s a candidate in next November’s election to become a resident circuit judge in McLean County.

The job became vacant Tuesday when Chief Judge Kevin Fitzgerald said he will retire next year instead of running for retention.

Circuit judges picked Yoder for the associate’s position in 2011 after spending the previous nine years as McLean County State’s Attorney.

“I believe that the most important thing that a judge can do is have high integrity, really care about the people they are serving, and that’s what I’ve tried to do in my career as a judge,” said Yoder.

He has also served as an assistant public defender and worked in private practice.

Long-time Bloomington lawyer Guy Fraker and retired Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb are publicly backing Yoder, who does not yet have an opponent for the job.

Yoder presides over the McLean County Recovery Court for adults who commit non-violent crimes and have been diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. He also handled cases in the Logan County drug court.

Yoder has two grown children and is engaged to McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]