Press Release from Gov. Matt Blunt’s office…

Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner Brian Curtis Wimes to Circuit Judge of the 16th Circuit - Division 18 to replace Judge Jon Gray, who retired.

Judge Gray was appointed by then-Gov. John Ashcroft to circuit judge in 1986 and was the first African American to serve the 16th Circuit. Wimes is also African American.

“We must work to ensure that all Missourians are represented in their government and that in all cases qualified Missourians are elevated to service,” Blunt said. “Brian Wimes’ experience overseeing the county’s drug court and his dedication to public service and the law of our state will be invaluable as he assumes this new role. Missourians can be proud he has agreed to serve in this capacity.”

Mr. Wimes, 41 of Kansas City, has served as Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner for more than five years. He previously worked in the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, where he was named Rookie Prosecutor of the Year and received national honors. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, Litigation Branch. Mr. Wimes earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Mr. Wimes is an active community participant. In 2002, he was honored as a member of Ingram’s Magazine’s “40 under Forty”. He is a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, on the board of directors for the Hope House Domestic Violence Shelter and has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Mr. Wimes was one of three candidates for the circuit judge position sent to Blunt by the 16th Judicial Commission, which accepts applications and selects candidates to fill judicial vacancies within this circuit. The governor can only appoint one of the three candidates submitted to him by the commission.

The five-member 16th Judicial Commission is made up of the chief judge for the Western Court of appeals, two attorney’s elected by the Missouri Bar, and two gubernatorial appointees.