The reason for why is very simple: they believed it would increase their chance of wining. This is a common practice in the US politics and why the two main parties are well the only important parties in the US today. It is because they adapt and incorporate the beliefs of minor parties that appear and they address the issues raised by the new parties. <span />
They may prefer appointment of judges rather than election to avoid having judges who have biases towards cases & people that they judge upon? (Hopefully that helps a little, I hope it isn't confusing)
