25 July 2005

Governor appoints Farnsworth to Supreme Court Nominating Commission

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced her appointment of David N. Farnsworth to the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission. Farnsworth will serve a four-year term.

“The nominating commission chooses nominees for the Supreme Court on the basis of merit and qualifications. It is a fundamental part of maintaining a judicial system independent of partisan politics. I am pleased to appoint Dr. Farnsworth to the commission and am confident he will uphold this important duty,” Governor Sebelius said.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is a nonpartisan commission made up of nine members. Four members of the commission are members of the public appointed by the governor, while the other five members are elected by members of the Kansas Bar. To ensure all parts of Kansas are represented, each congressional district is represented by at least two members.

Unlike presidential appointments to the United States Supreme Court, in which the President can choose any eligible individual to serve subject to Senate confirmation, under rules put in place by Kansas voters in 1958, Kansas governors are given a list by the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission of three individuals from which to choose for the vacant position.

The nominating commission can only nominate individuals who apply for the position in question. From the individuals who apply, the commission nominates three finalists, with the governor selecting from those finalists.

Farnsworth, Ph.D., Wichita, retired in 1996 after 40 years as a professor at Wichita State University. Farnsworth, who taught political science, also worked as dean of liberal arts and sciences and associate vice-president for academic affairs. He is also a published author.