TOPEKA—The 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene by telephone conference at 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 30, to review nominee applications for two judge vacancies.
Chief Judge Gary Nafziger of Jefferson County will retire January 11. District Magistrate Judge Blaine Carter of Wabaunsee County will retire December 8.
The meeting is open to the public, and anyone who wants to listen can call 1-877-400-9499, enter conference code 2199381974, and follow the prompts.
The 2nd Judicial District is composed of Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties.
District judge vacancy
Nominees for district judge must be:
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at least 30 years old;
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a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and
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a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.
The nominating commission seeks nominations, then convenes to interview nominees. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the judicial district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
District magistrate judge vacancy
Nominees for district magistrate judge must be:
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a resident of Wabaunsee County at the time of taking office and while holding office;
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a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
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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.
The nominating commission seeks nominations, then convenes to interview nominees. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will then appoint a district magistrate judge.
Term of office
After serving one year in office, a new 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.
Nominating Commission
The 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; David Allen, Circleville; Charles Waugh, Eskridge; J. Richard Lake, Holton; D. Max Fuller, Maple Hill; Norma Dunnaway, Perry; and Edward Pugh, Eugene Scherer, and John Watt, Wamego.