Seven apply for 2nd Judicial District judgeship

TOPEKA—The names of seven area attorneys who have applied for the newly created district judge position in the Second Judicial District were released today.

The Second Judicial District includes the counties of Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties.

The Judicial Nominating Commission will meet Friday, June 27, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Pottawatomie County Courthouse, Westmoreland, to interview applicants and then submit the names of either two or three persons to the governor for appointment.  The position was created by the 2008 Legislature and certified by Chief Justice Kay McFarland be located in the Second Judicial District.

Applying for the vacancy by Friday’s noon deadline were Jeffrey R. Elder, an attorney in private practice, Wamego; Michael C. Hayes, with offices in Oskaloosa and Lawrence; Norbert C. Marek Jr., Wabaunsee County Attorney; Mary D. Prewitt, Kansas State Director of the U.S. Humane Society, Lawrence; District Magistrate Judge Steven M. Roth, Westmoreland; Kenneth R. Smith, Hoyt attorney and self-employed rancher; and John D. Watts, assistant Pottawatomie County counselor and private practice, Wamego.