TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill two district judge vacancies.
Judge Steven Hornbaker, who served in Geary County, retired June 1. Chief Judge Michael Powers will retire August 20. His position is based in Marion County.
The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties.
Justice Caleb Stegall, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 8th Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
A nominee for district judge must be:
- at least 30 years old; and
- 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.
Nominees for Hornbaker’s position must be a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.
Nominees for Powers’ position must be a resident of Marion County at the time of taking office and while holding office.
Nominations must include a nomination form available from the clerk of the district court in Dickinson, Geary, Marion, or Morris counties; the clerk of the appellate courts in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka; or online at www.kscourts.org/Judges/Become-a-Judge.
Nominations may be submitted electronically or by paper copy, and one nomination form can be used for both vacancies. The deadline to submit a nomination with supporting documents is noon Tuesday, July 13.
Electronic submissions can be sent to jdnc.nominationform@kscourts.org.
Paper submissions require one original and eight copies to be sent to:
Justice Caleb Stegall
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka KS 66612
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 18. The location will be announced later. Interviews are open to the public.