Governor makes appointment to Supreme Court Nominating Commission
Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Frances Gorman Graves to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.
“Frances’ leadership experience and years of involvement in communications, along with her rural Kansas perspective, will be valuable as the Supreme Court Nominating Commission does its work,” Kelly said. “We appreciate her willingness to serve and be part of this important process.”
The nine-member Supreme Court Nominating Commission is responsible for recommending qualified individuals for appointment to the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals. Four of the members are non-attorneys appointed by the governor. The four appointees selected by the sitting governor each represent one congressional district in the state. Four others are attorneys selected by fellow attorneys in each of the congressional districts, with the chair of the commission an attorney elected by attorneys statewide.
Graves was appointed to a four-year term as one of the board’s four non-attorney members, and will serve starting on June 30. She’s currently the Assistant to the Director of Parsons Area Community Foundation. Previously, Graves was the Senior Media Researcher for Synoptos from 2012 to 2015, Adjunct Instructor at Labette Community College in Parsons from 2009 to 2012, Communications Coordinator at KU’s School of Business from 2008 to 2009, and Director of Strategic Communications for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office from 2007 to 2008. She and her family are farmers and ranchers in southeast Kansas.
Graves will assume the commission seat currently held by 2nd Congressional District non-attorney member Felita Kahrs of Topeka, who was appointed by Governor Sam Brownback.
Kelly will continue filling a significant number of vacancies in the coming months in her effort to rebuild Kansas, including new vacancies and other positions left unfilled by previous administrations.