(KAIR)--Interviews were held Wednesday for the 8 nominees seeking an open 1st Judicial District judge vacancy.

The judicial district includes Atchison and Leavenworth counties.

On Thursday, a release announced that 2 of the three Atchison attorneys, who were interviewed among the 8 total nominees, have been selected as finalists.

The release, issued by the Kansas Courts, on behalf of the 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission, says the names of John Fresh and Andrew Werring, along with Kansas City attorney Rhonda Levinson, have been sent to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint to the open seat, according to qualifications and residency requirements.

The vacancy was created by the January 1 retirement of Chief Judge David King.