30th Judicial District Nominating Commission selects district magistrate judge in Kingman County

TOPEKA—The 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Ronald Sylvester, Hutchinson, to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Kingman County.

The commission conducted public interviews of nominees for the position August 19 at the Kingman County Courthouse in Kingman. Three people had applied for the opening.

Sylvester's new position will be effective upon his swearing-in.

Sylvester, who is not a lawyer, is a former editor of The Hutchinson News.

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

The vacancy was created by the retirement of District Magistrate Judge Roseanna Mathis.

Kansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:

• a resident of Kingman 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.

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 Eric Rosen served as the nonvoting chair of the 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission in place of Justice Carol Beier. Members are Melvin Matlock, Belle Plaine; Sidney Burkholder and Elaine Esparza, Harper; Lance Dixon and Gregory Graffman, Kingman; Hannah Brass, Alan Goering, and Richard Swayden, Medicine Lodge; and Robert Eisenhauer and Jason Roberts, Pratt.