SPRINGFIELD -- A recent letter to Gov. Charlie Baker signed by 19 Western Massachusetts legislators was written "to highlight the lack of representation of our region by those now serving on the state's Supreme Judicial Court."

In asking for a local judge on the state's highest judicial body, the legislators have joined the presidents of the four Western Massachusetts bar associations and the clerks of the four superior courts in this part of the state. They have all made their concerns known to Baker in no uncertain terms, as has John M. Greaney, a retired Supreme Judicial Court judge from Westfield.

The legislators' letter said, "With an expected vacancy opening this year, we urge you to fill Justice Geraldine Hines' seat with a qualified appointee from Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin or Hampden counties."

Hines, who lives in Roxbury, is expected to step down this year as she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The legislators say regional diversity can only be accomplished by ensuring Western Massachusetts has a voice on the court.

"A qualified jurist from Western Massachusetts will bring a perspective on life and circumstances in our rural region, which will assist in balanced decision making by the SJC. Certainly, the day-to-day experiences, challenges and opportunities of residents in Western Massachusetts differ greatly from those of their urban neighbors to the east," the legislators said.

"We note and appreciate that your administration often cites a pledge to remember Western Massachusetts as you serve as the governor of all 351 communities in Massachusetts. We urge you to do so when filling this vacancy, and appoint a justice from Western Massachusetts to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court," the letter said.

State legislators who signed the letter are Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Sens. Adam Hinds, Don Humason, Eric Lesser and James Welch, and Reps. Brian Ashe, Gailanne Cariddi, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Michael Finn, Solomon Goldstein-Rose, Carlos Gonzalez, Peter Kocot, Stephen Kulik, William "Smitty" Pignatelli, John Scibak, Jose Tosada, Aaron Vega, John Velis and Bud Williams.

The elected clerks of the superior courts in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties reminded Baker in their own letter of "the right of Massachusetts citizens of all cultures and geographic regions to be represented at all levels of government. We think that respect for and adherence to the law depend upon that representation."

Baker has filled four vacancies on the court, but no appointees have been from Western Massachusetts.

The clerks said although the Legislature and Supreme Judicial Court justices make up separate and independent branches of our government, they share something vital in common -- both make law.

"Because it would be unthinkable to have every one of our elected lawmakers chosen only from eastern Massachusetts, we think same principle holds true for the justices of Supreme Judicial Court. Few would disagree that the Supreme Judicial Court must reflect the makeup of the citizenry it governs," the clerks said.

The clerks' letter went on to say, "Governor, we in Western Massachusetts share a special bond with our brothers and sisters at the bar. Because it is a relatively small community, practicing attorneys interact on cases time and time again. Not only do we have strong professional relationships, but in many cases, we enjoy friendships outside of work. Here in Hampden County, we have a very active bar association and we gather at social events such as golf tournaments, dinners, social hours and more, on almost a monthly basis. We think it is important to have someone on the Supreme Judicial Court who has a flavor of who we are as a bar in Western Massachusetts."

The clerks said, "Dating back to colonial times, our Supreme Judicial Court has included distinguished Western Massachusetts justices. In fact, our high court has almost never been without a Western Massachusetts justice. Indeed, in recent years, no less than three of the seven justices hailed from Western Massachusetts -- Justice Roderick L. Ireland, a Springfield native, Justice John M. Greaney, a Westfield native, and Justice Francis X. Spina, a Pittsfield native. But today, there are none."