By Quinn O’Hara

On Thursday, January 18th, John McNish was selected as the new magistrate for Kansas’ 21st Judicial District by a vote of 7-1.

Clay and Riley Counties make up the 21st Judicial District. Judges for the district are chosen by an 8 member Judicial Nominating Commission. Steve McMahan is on the Commission, and has been for more than 15 years. McMahan says the process of filling the position began soon after former Judge Bill Malcom passed in October of 2023:

With McNish announced as the new magistrate, the next step of the process will be to submit the Commission’s recommendations to Governor Laura Kelly for her approval.

McMahan says the 21st District is very fortunate to have received three good applicants for the position:

Now that McNish has been officially selected to fill the new magistrate position, he will be moving to Clay Center to fill the residency requirement of the position