Newsroom

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly is seeking applicants to fill the district magistrate judge position for Osborne County in the 17^th Judicial District, which is composed of Decatur, Graham, Norton, Osborne, Smith, and Phillips Counties. The governor received official notice of this vacancy from the Clerk of the Appellate Courts on July 6, 2026. The vacancy results from the retirement of District Magistrate Judge Renee Henke effective August 7, 2026.

Individuals wishing to apply should email judicialapplications@ks.gov for application materials. Applicants must submit materials by August 14, 2026.  

To be considered for the district magistrate judge position, an applicant must be:

• A resident of Osborne County at the time of taking office and while holding office;
• A graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
• Either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination to become certified within 18 months.

Consistent with K.S.A. 25-312a, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified at the next general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

###