Second District Court Judge J. Michael Kavanaugh Retiring

Judge J. Michael Kavanaugh will be retiring at the end of June. He was appointed in August of 2004. A judicial selection committee for his replacement will be taking applications until 5 pm on May 30, 2008. Applications are on the judicial selection website at http://www.governor.state.nm.us/judicialappt.php?mm=5 or http://lawschool.unm.edu/judsel/application.php

Currently

Both Second District Court Judge Bob Schwartz and Metro Court Judge Ben Chavez are running for the 9th division seat in the June 3 election. The Governor appointed Bob Schwartz to that seat earlier this year. Judge Ben Chavez opted not to give up his current seat on the metro court to apply for the judicial selection committee to be appointed at the district court.

Also running in the June 3 election is Charles W. Brown who was appointed by the Governor for the seat he now holds. He has opposition in his race as well. Gail K. Prosser is also running for the Division 26 seat.

Frank A. Sedillo dropped out of the race earlier this month and endorsed Judge Elizabeth Whitefield for the 25th division seat. Judge Whitefield is now running unopposed for the 25th division seat even though Frank A. Sedillo name will appear on the ballot. Judge Whitefield is attempting to have the county clerk’s office inform voters that Frank A. Sedillo did indeed withdraw from the current race.

With all of these candidates wishing a seat on the second district court it should not be too difficult to find a candidate for the new opening create by Judge Kavanaugh’s retirement.