Supreme Court Nominating Commission to interview applicants June 9 and 10

TOPEKA—The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will convene June 9 and 10 to interview applicants to fill a Kansas Supreme Court vacancy that will be created when Justice Evelyn Wilson resigns July 4.   

Interviews will be in a first-floor meeting room in the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.  

The commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. Monday, June 9, and interviews will begin at 9 a.m. Interviews are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@kansasjudicialbranch4804/streams.   

Interview schedule, applicant biographies, interview guidelines

The interview schedule, brief applicant biographies, and interview guidelines are on the Kansas judicial branch website.  

After interviewing applicants, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission will decide which three to recommend to the governor to fill the position. The governor will then have 60 days to choose which one to appoint to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.  

Open process

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will conduct its activity subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 20-123), and Kansas Supreme Court Rules 1101 and 1102.   

By a majority vote, the commission can recess into executive session to discuss sensitive financial information in the personal financial records or official background checks of the applicants.

Cameras and recording devices are allowed, but the commission can set reasonable rules to ensure orderly conduct.

In fairness to all applicants, the commission requests that applicants not attend interviews of other applicants. The commission also requests that applicants not seek or accept information about questions asked of other applicants during their interviews.

Public comment

The public cannot ask questions or make comments during the interviews, but written comments will be accepted until June 2, 2025. Comments may be emailed or mailed to:

scnc@kscourts.gov

Supreme Court Nominating Commission
Attn: Gloria G. Farha Flentje
301 SW 10th Ave., 1st Floor
Topeka KS 66612

Merit-based selection process

Justices are appointed to the Supreme Court through a merit-based nomination process that Kansans voted to add to the Kansas Constitution in 1958. The process involves the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which reviews nominees, and the governor, who makes the appointment.

When there is a vacancy on the court, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews applications and conducts public interviews of nominees. The commission narrows the nominee pool to three names that it sends to the governor. The governor chooses one nominee to appoint. 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to serve as a Supreme Court justice, a nominee must be:

• at least 30 years old;

• a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least 10 years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school.

Selection criteria

When the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews nominees for justice, they look at the person’s:

• legal and judicial experience

• educational background

• character and ethics

• temperament

• service to the community

• impartiality

• respect of colleagues

Judicial conduct

Justices must follow the law and not be influenced by politics, special interest groups, public opinion, or their own personal beliefs.

Justices demonstrate their accountability by following a Code of Judicial Conduct that establishes standards of ethical behavior. They also take an oath of office that includes swearing to support, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution and Kansas Constitution.

Retention elections

After one year in office, a newly appointed justice must seek retention by voters in the next general election to remain on the bench. Justices retained by voters serve six-year terms.

Supreme Court Nominating Commission

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is an independent body created by the Kansas Constitution. Four of its members are appointed by the governor from each of the state’s four congressional districts. These appointees are not attorneys. Four other members are attorneys elected by attorneys in each of the state's congressional districts. The commission chair is an attorney elected by attorneys in a statewide vote.

Members of the commission are Gloria G. Farha Flentje, chair, Wichita; Robert J. Frederick, Lakin; Diane Oakes, Lawrence; Jennifer M. Cocking, Emporia; Frances Gorman Graves, Bartlett; Katie A. McClaflin, Overland Park; Carol S. Marinovich, Kansas City; Thomas J. Lasater, Wichita; and Ebony S. Clemons, Wichita.