AFP-Kansas supports bill allowing more public input in selection of Supreme Court, appellate judges

The grassroots group Americans for Prosperity-Kansas supports legislation introduced today by Rep. Lance Kinzer (R-Olathe) regarding judicial selection. The proposed legislation, which is co-sponsored by 23 members of the House, would change the make-up of the state’s judicial nominating commission and would subject the Governor’s nominee to Senate confirmation.

“Supreme Court justices are selected by an insider group of Kansas lawyers, and that group has become a powerful gatekeeper to one third of our state government,” said AFP-KS State Director Alan Cobb. “We need to allow legislative confirmations that will give Kansans the opportunity to participate in the process.”

Currently, Kansas is the only state in the nation where lawyers have that much influence over the judicial nominating process. Cobb said legislative confirmation would make the judicial branch more accountable.

“Rep. Kinzer recognizes that the process of selecting our Supreme Court and appellate judges is controlled by a select group of attorneys,” said Cobb. “We congratulate him for his efforts to open up the process, and to make judges more accountable to the people of Kansas.