Fessinger seeks District 18 judge seat in Nov. 3 election

Michael Fessinger, a 42-year-old Republican attorney, is running for Kansas District Court Judge in District 18, Division 17.

The Sedgwick County race appears on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Candidate information

Age: 42
Party: Republican
Residence: Wichita area, where he lives with his wife, Christina, and their 7-year-old son
Education: Juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law, 2014
Background: Fessinger grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to Kansas in 2006 to attend the University of Kansas, according to the Wichita Eagle. He is the son of two public school teachers.

Experience and public service

Fessinger has more than 10 years of legal experience, all in the public sector, according to the Wichita Eagle. He worked as a criminal prosecutor at Sedgwick County and a law clerk for Judge Anthony J. Powell. He also served as an assistant county counselor at the Sedgwick County Counselor's Office and an attorney for the city of Wichita. He is an associate general counsel at Wichita State University, according to KMUW.

Fessinger says on his campaign website that he serves as a trusted advisor to public safety leaders and elected officials. Those include the Wichita City Council, Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners, Wichita police and fire chiefs, and Sheriff Jeff Easter. He also says he serves as treasurer on the executive board of his local Rotary Club and has volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Fessinger says judges should interpret the law, not create it. He says the role of a judge is to apply statutes and constitutional provisions as written, guided by their original text and established meaning, according to his campaign website. His stated core principles include devotion to the Constitution, protecting the right to keep and bear arms, and commitment to due process and equal justice.

Specialty courts: Fessinger told the Wichita Eagle he hopes to be assigned to one of Sedgwick County's specialty courts, such as drug court or veterans treatment court, and wants to expand them. He called himself "a big believer in those types of solutions."

Court backlogs: Fessinger told the Wichita Eagle that case backlogs are a problem, particularly in family court, where people may wait months for hearings on divorce and child custody issues. He said some problems could be solved through docket management and efficiency but that more judges may also be needed.