© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Governor Chooses His Chief Counsel for Appeals Court Seat

Stephen Koranda, File Photo
/
Kansas Public Radio

Gov. Sam Brownback has selected his office's top attorney, Caleb Stegall, as the nominee for an open seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals. Brownback calls him the most qualified candidate for the job.

“His depth of knowledge across the broad spectrum of legal topics continues to impress me and others around this building. I’ve never known an attorney who can provide such excellent counsel on so many topics," said Brownback.

But the top Democrat in the House, Paul Davis from Lawrence, says the selection means that Brownback picked a friend for the job.

Stegall received bipartisan letters of endorsement, including from former Democratic Kansas Attorney General Steve Six. Stegall previously served as Jefferson County Attorney and as general counsel for Americans for Prosperity. He has also served on the board of the wildlife conservation group Audubon of Kansas. The state Senate will consider the nomination during next month's special session.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.