OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Eighth District Court Judge Michael Mullins has been named to the Iowa Court of Appeals.

Governor Terry Branstad made the announcement Thursday morning.

Judge Mullins, 59, of Washington, received his law degree from Drake University and is currently serving as a district court judge in Iowa Judicial District 8A. 

Mullins who lives in Washington, Iowa, started his career as a social worker in Burlington. He has been a judge since 2002.

Mullins appointment should come as no surprise, earlier this year, he was one of nine finalists for a seat on the Iowa State Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeals is the intermediate appeals court for the state. Only the Supreme Court can overrule an appeals court ruling.