21st Judicial District Nominating Commission announces candidates for magistrate judge

TOPEKA—The 21st Judicial Nominating Commission released the names of the eight people who applied to fill a district court vacancy in Riley County created by the upcoming Aug. 11 retirement of District Magistrate Judge Sheila Hochhauser.

The candidates are:

• Mark J. Hatesohl, Manhattan

• Cole A. Hawver, Manhattan

• James R. Kepple, Ness City

• Sharon M. Reilly, Manhattan

• Phonesyvanh Sounakhen, Manhattan

• Terra Lyn Tecchio, Fort Scott

• Gary C. West, Topeka

• Phylemon Chuen-Man Yau, Manhattan

Kansas law requires that a magistrate judge be a resident of the county at the time of swearing-in and while serving; be at least 30 years old; have graduated from a high school, secondary school, or the equivalent; and either be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or pass an examination given by the Kansas Supreme Court and become certified within 18 months.

The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Monday, August 14, 2017, in the Riley County Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, to conduct interviews that are open to the public. When the interviews conclude, the commission will select one candidate to fill the district magistrate judge position. After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge will stand for a retention vote in the next general election and, if retained, serve a four-year term.

Members of the 21st Judicial District Nominating Committee are Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla J. Luckert as the non-voting chair; William J. Bahr, Johanna D. Lyle, James W. Morrison, Derrick L. Roberson, and Richard H. Seaton Jr., all of Manhattan; Kyle C. Bauer and Steven C. McMahan, both of Clay Center; and Steven L. Hargrave of Randolph.