(KAIR)--A nominating commission is forwarding the names of four attorneys to the governor to fill a judge position in the 1st Judicial District.

The 1st Judicial District is composed of Atchison and Leavenworth Counties.

Members of the nominating commission interviewed nine candidates Friday to fill a vacancy that will be created by the January 11 retirement of District Judge Robert Bednar of Atchison County .

According to a release from the Kansas Courts, the nominating commission chose to forward the names two Atchison attorney's--- John Kurth and Andrew Werring—along with Michael Jones, an attorney from Lansing, and John Bryant, an attorney from Kansas City, Kansas.

Gov. Laura Kelly will have 60 days after receiving the names of the nominees to make an appointment.