7th Judicial District Nominating Commission submits nominees for district judge vacancy in Douglas County

TOPEKA—The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of four nominees for district judge to Gov. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by the June 15 retirement of Judge Paula Martin.

The 7th Judicial District is composed of Douglas County.

The four nominees are:

• Stacey Donovan, Lawrence, chief public defender, Shawnee County Public Defender Office

• Carl Folsom III, Lawrence, assistant federal public defender, U.S. District Court of Kansas

• Shon Qualseth, Lawrence, assistant attorney general of Kansas

• Mark Simpson, Lawrence, assistant district attorney, Douglas County

Nominees for district judge must be:

• at least 30 years old;

• a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and

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

After serving one year in office, the new 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.

The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen as the nonvoting chair; and Stephanie Davis, Lisa Harris, Michael McGrew, Wesley Smith, Daniel Watkins, and Elizabeth Cateforis, all of Lawrence.