(KAIR)--The Atchison County Attorney is among nine named as nominees to become the next judge for the Kansas 1st Judicial District.

Jerry Kuckelman is named in a release issued by the Office of Judicial Administration announcing the nominees.

The Leavenworth County vacancy was created by the June 16 retirement of Judge Gunnar Sundby.

The release notes that the 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 9:00, on the morning of August 8, to conduct nominee interviews.

The process, which will take place at the Leavenworth County Justice Center, at 601 South Third Street, in Leavenworth, is open to the public.

Joining Kuckelman in the running to fill the vacancy are Lansing County Attorney Michael Jones, Deputy Leavenworth County Attorney, Joan Lowdon, of Bonner Springs, Assistant Dickinson County Attorney Amy Coppola, of Abilene, attorney Pamela Campbell Burton, of Leavenworth, attorney Terri Harris, of Basehor, Christopher Kellogg, of Leavenworth, who serves as Administrative Law Judge for the Kansas Department of Administration, attorney Keyta Kelly, of Leavenworth, and attorney Geoffrey Sonntag, of Tonganoxie.

The nominating commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the judicial district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint. After serving one year in office, the new 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.