12th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview nominees for district magistrate vacancy

TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene Thursday, January 16, to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Republic County.

The vacancy was created by the resignation of Judge Starla Nelson.

The commission will convene at 10:30 a.m. January 16, in the Republic County Courthouse, 1815 M Street, Belleville. Interviews are open to the public.

The 12th Judicial District is composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties.

The nominees to be interviewed are:

• 11:30 a.m.—Laine Rundus, Manhattan, lawyer

• 11:50 a.m.—Mary Strnad, Hanover, nonlawyer

• 12:10 p.m.—Regine Thompson, Scandia, lawyer

Kansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:

• a resident of Republic County at the time of taking office and while holding office;

• at least 30 years old;

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and

• either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.

After interviews conclude, the commission will appoint the district magistrate judge. After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Carol Good of Barnard; William Navis of Belleville; Dwight Daniels, Curtis Frasier, and Jerry Harrison of Beloit; Dana Brewer and Bradley Lowell of Concordia; Tanner Johnson of Courtland; Daniel Metz of Lincoln; Rick Diamond and Darrell Miller of Mankato; and Bruce Meyer of Palmer.