TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022, to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Dickinson County. 

The vacancy was created when Judge Keith Collett was sworn in as a district judge October 29.  

The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties.  

Interview schedule  

9:30 a.m.   Eric Gares, Herington, special investigator, Sedgwick County Public Defender Office 

9:45 a.m.   Neal Gugler, Chapman, special investigator, Kansas Bureau of Investigation 

10 a.m.   Mark Guilfoyle, Abilene, private practice 

10:15 a.m.   Anthony Haug, Abilene, small business owner 

10:40 a.m.   Michael Leyba III, Salina, assistant public defender 

10:55 a.m.   Steven Olson, Abilene, court services officer 

11:10 a.m.   Kathleen Souza, Herington, former plant office manager 

11:25 a.m.   Lori Welch, Abilene, trial court clerk, Geary County District Court 

Public interviews  

Interviews are open to the public. They will take place at:  

Geary County Courthouse  138 E. 8th St.  Junction City, KS 

ADA accommodation  

Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible, preferably 10 working days before the meeting date:  

ADA Coordinator   ADA@kscourts.org 785-296-2256   TTY at 711  

Eligibility requirements  

Kansas law requires that this district magistrate judge be:  

• a resident of Dickinson County at the time of taking office and while holding office;  

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and  

• either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination to become certified within 18 months. 

Term of office  

After serving one year in office, the magistrate 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 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Kevin Harris and Douglas Thompson, Abilene; Ashley Iverson, Council Grove; Darrell Miller, Dwight; Keith Henry, Junction City; Daryl Enos and Edwin Wheeler Jr., Marion; and Eric Coffman, Milford.