TOPEKA—The 28th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy in Saline County created by the retirement of District Court Judge Jerome P. Hellmer.
Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 28th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be recommended, but recommendations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.
“Judicial nominations are an open process to find the most qualified candidates in a district. If you live in this community, and you know someone ideally suited for the job, encourage that person to apply, or volunteer to recommend him or her,” Nuss said.
Kansas law requires that a judge be a resident of the district, be at least 30 years old, be admitted to practice law in Kansas, and have actively practiced law for at least five years.
Recommendations must be accompanied by a nomination form available on the Kansas Judicial Branch website.
Completed nomination forms and supporting letters are to be sent to Catherine J. Craft, 110 S 7th, Salina, KS 67401, no later than noon, Tuesday, September 9.
The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, in Room 313 of the City-County Building, 300 W Ash, Salina, 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 28th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss as the nonvoting chair; Frank R. Cole, Bennington; John Pruitt, Minneapolis; Tisha S. Morrical, Lindsborg; and Catherine J. Craft, Peter S. Johnston, David C. Smith, John P. Sheahon, and Darrell Wilson, all of Salina.