Interview schedule announced for district judge vacancy in Finney County
TOPEKA—The 25th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene October 2 to interview five nominees to fill a district judge position in Finney County created by the upcoming December 27 retirement of Judge Michael Quint.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 2, in the Finney County Courthouse, Room 301, 425 N Eighth St., Garden City. Interviews are open to the public.
The 25th Judicial District is composed of Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott, and Wichita counties.
The interview times and nominees:
- 9:15 a.m.—Brian R. Sherwood, assistant/deputy county attorney, Finney County Attorney’s Office, Garden City;
- 10 a.m.—Christopher D. Sanders, district magistrate judge, Finney County, Garden City;
- 10:45 a.m.—Kristi M. Cott, assistant county attorney, Finney County Attorney’s Office, Garden City;
- 11:30 a.m.—Lara Blake Bors, lawyer, Bors Law, Garden City;
- 12:15 p.m.—Lunch break;
- 1:30 p.m.—Richard L. Marquez, lawyer, Linder, Marquez & Koksal, Garden City.
The public cannot ask questions or make comments during the interviews, but comments may be made in advance to any commissioner by calling commission secretary William Heydman’s law office at 620-275-7000.
The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the judicial district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
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.
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 the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.
