Circuit Judge Michael J. Gillespie has filed for re-election, hoping to win a new six-year term to a position he has held since 1993.

Gillespie, who began his legal career in 1978, worked as both an assistant district attorney and as an attorney in private practice before being elected to serve the 15th Judicial District as a judge.

His primary responsibility in Coos and Curry counties has been presiding over criminal and civil trials. Gillespie said the past year highlight the new demands and challenges that elected officials will have to face in the future.

"Each individual elected to public office faces the challenge of examining the way we do the public's business," Gillespie said. "For the courts, having experienced budget reductions and reduced public court days, I have made it my goal with the other judges of this district to make sure that, to the extent possible, the public still has full access to the courts to resolve problems."

In 2003, budget cuts forced courts to delay prosecuting certain types of misdemeanor crimes and close down on Fridays to allow clerks to complete work. Judges continued to work on Fridays but did not hear cases.

Budget cuts also forced early releases on inmates in several Oregon counties.

Gillespie said he remains committed to seeing cases are resolved in a timely fashion and without delay. He added that he looks forward to using the experience he has gathered as a trial judge to minimize the budget impacts on court system.