DEARBORN — A supportive crowd held a fundraiser for Court of Appeals Judge Kurtis Wilder on Tuesday at Byblos Banquet Center, as he faces an opponent for the first time since his election in 2000.

Wilder, who serves on the First District Court of Appeals, is seeking his third six-year term.

Judicial candidates, local officials and ethnic newspaper publishers— among others— attended, some of whom issued their backing and financial support for Wilder’s campaign.

Appointed in 1998 by then-Gov. John Engler, Wilder is one of seven judges on the Appellate Court. Its district includes Branch, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Monroe, St. Joseph and Wayne counties. Both Wilder’s term and that of Judge Cynthia Stevens, who was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2008 and elected to a full six-year term in 2010, expire in January.

Nicole James, a former Wayne County assistant prosecuting attorney, is also running. James, whose campaign slogan is “Keep politics out of our courts”, is an attorney who handles criminal and family matter. She received her undergraduate degree in education from Michigan State University and earned her juris doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

At the fundraiser, Wilder took to the stage to thank his advocates, whom he hopes will allow him to continue to uphold fairness in the court.

“I’ve always appreciated the support of this community, who recognize that I’ve worked hard to do what judges are supposed to do,” Wilder said. “And not worry about politics, not worry about favoritism, just to be fair, impartial and decide cases according to the rule of law.”

Although he has run unopposed until now, Wilder said this year’s campaign has allowed him to further interact with community members, listening to their concerns on a regular basis.

Among those endorsing Wilder are Third Circuit Court candidate Melissa Cox, 19th District Court candidate Gene Hunt and Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge Adel Harb.

Wilder, Stephens and James will be on the ballot for First District Court of Appeals on November 8.