For hopeful district court judge, Derek Swajanen, the campaign trail began today in Marquette. And several of his supporters were in attendance to help get the word out.

Swajanen is running for the position of 96th District Court Judge; a position currently held by Karl Weber.

“I think I’d be a great district court judge, based on the fact that I (was) born and raised (in the Upper Peninsula),” he began, stating his case, “My passion for the law and my love of the community brings me to the decision to run for District Court Judge.”

The graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University has spent thousands of hours giving speeches and mentoring youth in sports.

One thing he wants to do should he take the seat is expand upon the sobriety and treatment courts in Marquette County.

“I think we can expand upon (them) to include veterans. (Veterans are) kind of getting left behind sometimes as it relates to treatment court.”

With almost twenty years under his belt as a practicing attorney, Swajanen enters his name into the upcoming election.

The voting will take place on November 8th.