Saying he wants to continue providing fair and impartial justice in south-central Missouri, Associate Circuit Judge Bill Hickle is kicking off his campaign for circuit judge with back-to-back gatherings planned next week in each of the four counties of the 25th judicial circuit.
The morning meetings will allow citizens to meet with Hickle for free coffee and donuts while giving them the chance to talk about local courts and Hickle’s views on furnishing equal justice under the law, including a stop in Houston next Thursday.
Hickle is the Republican candidate to succeed Circuit Judge Tracy Storie of Pulaski County, who is retiring at the end of this year. Associate Circuit Judge Colin Long of Pulaski County is running on the Democratic Ticket.
Hickle serves as associate circuit judge for Phelps County. He previously was elected eight times as judge for the City of Rolla, and practiced law for 27 years. He and his wife, Debbie, have been married 29 years and have five children and one grandchild.
“It’s important that we protect our heritage of freedom and liberty guaranteed in our Constitution, and that we provide a justice system where each person is treated equally under the law,” he said.
Having earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Baylor University and law degree at the University of Missouri at Columbia, Hickle said, “I look forward each court date to the challenge of giving fair, firm and prompt justice to each person who comes into court.”
Now serving his 16th year as a judge, with experience handling tens of thousands of cases, Hickle emphasized the role of courts in providing community safety and stability, saying, “One of the vital tasks of our justice system is to help keep our families safe and secure.”
Hickle is president of the Rolla Public Library board of trustees and has been chairman of the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council to the Governor. He has served as president of the Phelps County Bar Association, president of the Rolla Rotary Club and board member of the nonprofit Internet service provider Rollanet. Hickle is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and Phelps County Bar Association.
Hickle coached youth soccer and basketball for more than 15 years. He and his family are active in church, music and theatre groups.
The Houston meeting is 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Houston Senior Center.
For information about Hickle’s coffee and donuts meetings in other counties, contact him at 573-578-8994 or by email at billhickle@gmail.com.