TOPEKA—The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission sent the names of three nominees for district judge to Governor Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy.
The judicial vacancy was created when District Judge Mark Ward retired October 9.
The 6th Judicial District is composed of Bourbon, Linn, and Miami counties.
The nominees are:
- James Crux, Pittsburg, Bourbon County attorney
- Madeline Jensen, Spring Hill, assistant county attorney, Miami County
- Jacklyn Paletta, Paola, municipal judge, Louisburg; county counselor, Linn County; Pascolo Law LLC
Term of office
After serving one year in office, a 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.
Nominating commission
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Larkin Walsh as the nonvoting chair; Mark McCoy and Zackery Reynolds, Fort Scott; Patton Apple and Ronald Wood, Louisburg; Todd Schneider, Mound City; and Mary Stephenson, Paola.