Douglas County judge vacancy: nominating commission advances three candidates for governor’s pick

Three nominees have been sent forward for the governor’s consideration to fill a district judge vacancy in Douglas County, following action by the Seventh Judicial District Nominating Commission, the Kansas Judicial Branch announced. The commission advanced Blake Glover of Baldwin City, Paul Klepper of Lawrence, and Krystal Vokins of Lawrence. Glover and Klepper are judges pro tem in the Douglas County District Court. Vokins is assistant training director for the Kansas Board of Indigents’ Defense Services. Gov. Laura Kelly will now have 60 days to select the appointee. The vacancy was created by Judge Sally Pokorny’s retirement in April. After serving one year in office, the next judge would face a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position, with a four-year term if retained.