The Republican Central Committees of Christian and Taney counties selected a nominee to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr.
Laura Johnson, a Christian County resident and attorney with Springfield law firm Ellis, Ellis, Hammons & Johnson PC since 1991, garnered the nomination Tuesday night. She was chosen over other candidates Rep. Kevin Elmer, R-Nixa, and Rodney Daniels, Johnson said.
Last week, Elmer told Springfield Business Journal he withdrew from the associate circuit judge Division 2 position to seek the more prominent seat previously occupied by Orr, who
died May 30 of cancer.
Elmer, who could not be reached for comment by deadline this morning, reportedly is seeking to put his name back on the ballot for associate judge, according to the
Christian County Headliner News. Johnson also was in the running for the associate circuit judge position, but withdrew her nomination yesterday. Now, the associate judge position is being sought by Republicans Doug Bacon, Ron Cleek and Patty Shilling.
Johnson said she's dreamt of being a judge since working for former Kansas City District Judge Elmo Hunter.
"I've desired to serve as judge since I had an opportunity to work for a judge early in my career and appreciate the impact he had on the lives of people who came before him," she said.
Johnson said she would make the trip to Jefferson City next week to officially file for the circuit court position.
The seat is slated to be filled through special election in November.[[In-content Ad]]
