Thirteen people have applied to fill two district judge vacancies in the 8th Judicial District. The vacancies are due to two retirements. 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 list of applicants includes:
- Samantha Angell, an attorney in private practice
- Krista Blaisdell, Geary County Attorney
- Keith Collett, district magistrate judge, Dickinson County
- Amy Coppola, district magistrate judge, Geary County
- Joel Ensey, Marion County Attorney
- Bobby Hiebert, assistant county attorney, Geary County
- Douglas Jones, district magistrate judge, 5th Judicial District
- Valorie Leblanc, district magistrate judge, 6th Judicial District
- Jason Oxford, assistant county attorney, Geary County
- Susan Robson, an attorney in private practice
- Britain Stites, city attorney, Junction City
- Laura Viar, Morris County Attorney
- Jennifer Wyatt, an attorney in private practice
The nominating commission will meet to interview nominees at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 18. Interviews will take place at the Geary County Courthouse, 138 E 8th Street, Junction City.
Anyone who attends the interviews must follow minimum standard health protocols set by the Supreme Court. These include answering questions at check-in about symptoms of or possible exposure to COVID-19, wearing a face mask while in the building, and maintaining six feet of physical distance from others.
The 8th Judicial District includes Geary, Dickinson, Morris and Marion counties.