TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy created by the January 12, 2015, retirement of District Court Judge David R. Platt.
The 8th judicial district includes Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties.
Justice Marla Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 8th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be recommended, but recommendations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.
“Selecting judges is an open process to find the most qualified candidates in the district, so if a community member knows someone ideally suited for the job, he or she should encourage that person to apply, or volunteer to recommend him or her,” Luckert said.
Kansas law requires that a judge be a resident of the district, be at least 30 years old, have actively practiced law for at least five years, and be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
Recommendations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk’s office in the district courts in Dickinson (Abilene), Geary (Junction City), Marion (Marion) and Morris (Council Grove) counties. The form is also available from the clerk of the appellate courts at the Judicial Center in Topeka and on the Kansas Judicial Branch website.
Completed nomination forms and supporting letters must be delivered to Edwin M. Wheeler Jr. 801 N Washington, Suite D, Junction City, KS 66441, by noon Wednesday, December 3.
The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, in the Geary County Courthouse, Junction City, to interview nominees. The meeting will be open to the public.
Kansas law requires the commission to submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the governor, who will choose one to appoint.
Notice of this vacancy was sent to every attorney in this judicial district by the chairman of the commission.
The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Marla Luckert as the nonvoting chair; and Kevin R. Fruechting and Edwin M. Wheeler Jr. of Marion; Darrel W. Bryant of Council Grove; Keith R. Henry of Junction City; Carolyn L. Gaston of Milford; Douglas G. Thompson of Chapman; Kevin O. Harris of Abilene; and Darrell L. Miller of Dwight.