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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Southeast Iowa residents have a rare opportunity this week to see how judges are chosen.

The Ottumwa League of Women Voters says for the first time interviews for an opening on the bench in the Eighth Judical District will be open to the public.

An 11-person committee will be interviewing the candidates to replace Judge Michael Mullins on July 21 and 22.

Mullins now sits on the state appeals court.

The interviews start at 8:30 a.m. both days at the court adminstrator's office.

The committee is made up of members of the local bar association, and non-lawyer citizens of the district.

They will select two names to submit to Iowa govenor Terry Branstad. The governor gets the final selection.

Among the candidates for the position are Wapello County Bar members Robert Breckenridge and Michael O. Carpenter both of Ottumwa.

Myron L. Gookin of Fairfield is also among the 10 candidates.

You can find a complete list both committee members and candidates at heartlandconnection.dot.com

8th District Judge Candidates

Robert E. Breckenridge, II Ottumwa

Michael O. Carpenter Ottumwa

Randy S. DeGeest Oskaloosa

Barbara A. Edmondson Washington

Kristin W. Ensign Urbandale

Myron L. Gookin Fairfield

Daniel P. Kitchen Washington

Mark E. Kruse Burlington

Kathryn J. Salazar Washington

David M. Van Compernolle Pleasant Hill

Selection Committee Members

Judge Daniel Wilson – Chairman

Kate Brock – Albia

Laurie Schooley – Bloomfield

Justine Heffron – Centerville

David Wilson – Sigourney

Darvin Dykes – Bloomfield

Attorney Michelle Hoyt Swanstrom – Ottumwa

Attorney Katie Lujan – Washington

Attorney Paul Zingg – Ottumwa

Attorney Cynthia Hucks – Ottumwa

Attorney Michael Moreland - Ottumwa