30th Judicial District Nominating Commission announces nominees for district magistrate judge

TOPEKA — The 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission released the names of five people who applied to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Barber County.

Judge Richard Raleigh vacated the position July 6.

The commission will convene at 9 a.m. August 17 in the Barber County Courthouse courtroom, 118 E. Washington, Medicine Lodge, to conduct interviews, which are open to the public.

The 30th Judicial District is composed of Barber, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner counties.

The nominees are:

• Tyson R. Eisenhauer, Pratt, attorney.

• Heather Kinsler, Kingman, nonattorney.

• Candace Renea Lattin, Iuka, attorney.

• Bryan K. Quick, Hazelton, nonattorney.

• Brendon J. Woods, Sun City, nonattorney.

A nominee for district magistrate judge must be:

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent;

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

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

Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier is the nonvoting chair of the 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission. Members are Sidney Burkholder, Harper; Lance Dixon, Kingman; Robert Eisenhauer, Pratt; Elaine Esparza, Harper; Alan Goering, Medicine Lodge; Gregory Graffman, Kingman; Melvin Matlock, Belle Plaine; Jason Roberts, Pratt; Richard Swayden, Medicine Lodge; and Phillip Unruh, Harper.