(KNZA)--A Troy woman has filed for district judge in the 22nd Judicial District.

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Laura Johnson-McNish filed earlier this month as a Republican candidate for the post.  

She currently serves as a magistrate judge in the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Brown, Doniphan, Nemaha and Marshall Counties.  

Johnson-McNish was appointed magistrate judge in July 2019 to fill the unexpired term of retiring magistrate judge Roy Roper, of Troy.  Her office is in Doniphan County.  

She previously served as Marshall County Attorney.  

Johnson-McNish said that current District Judge Jim Patton has told her he does not intend to run again.  Patton has served as district judge since January 1995 and chief judge since 2001.  

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file.  The primary election will be held August 2 and the general election will be November 8.