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TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene January 22 to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Washington County created when Judge Paul Monty retires January 11.

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

Nominees

The nominees are:

  • Jason Cohorst, Hanover, probation officer in Beatrice, Nebraska;

  • Allison Kern, Washington, court services officer for Marshall County in the 22nd Judicial District;

  • Christopher McFadden, Clifton, deputy for the Washington County Sheriff's Office; and

  • Gayle Monty, Belleville, administrative assistant in the 12th Judicial District.

Interviews and appointment

The nominating commission will convene by videoconference to interview nominees at 9 a.m., Friday, January 22.

Interviews are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel.

At the beginning of the January 22 meeting, the public will have the opportunity to provide comment. To comment:

  • call 1-877-400-9499; and

  • enter conference code 2199381974

Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meetings should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible, preferably 10 working days before the meeting date:

ADA Coordinator
reimere@kscourts.org
785-296-2256
TTY at 711

After the interviews, the commission will appoint a district magistrate judge.

Eligibility requirements

Kansas law requires this district magistrate judge be:

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

  • 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.

Term of office

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.

Nominating commission

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

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