Almost all of these appointed judges win routine re-election. Therefore, our existing judiciary is a mix of appointed and elected judges. Many smart people will argue for getting rid of elected judges. The Bar is for it. Many good-government types are for it.
Most judges are for the idea, too.
No one could ever run against them again. You get to decide. If you buy all their arguments, and vote to make this switch, then more power to you. This means turning over the selection of trial judges to the local silk-stocking law firms, and whichever political buddies the governor puts on the selection committee. As we have it now, there are two routes to the black robe.