by the Associated Press:
Governor Laura Kelly is moving ahead with plans to nominate a new Kansas Court of Appeals judge despite a dispute over whether she has the authority to do it.
The Democratic governor said Monday that the vacancy on the state’s second-highest court needs to be filled and the Republican-controlled Legislature should clarify the law on appointing judges.
Kelly withdrew her first choice of Labette County District Judge Jeffry Jack last month because of political posts on Jack’s Twitter feed in 2017.
Senate President Susan Wagle says Kelly failed to nominate someone properly on time and the task now falls to Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss.
Kelly contends Wagle is incorrect.
Kelly announced last week that she’s considering three candidates. Wagle called it “a blatant disrespect” for the law.
Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt has now filed a lawsuit asking the Kansas Supreme Court for a quick decision on who has the authority to make the appointment.
