Updated at 4:00pm
The chair of a Kansas Senate committee had some tough questions for a nominee for the Kansas Court of Appeals. Republican Senator Jeff King asked Kathryn Gardner if they should reject her nomination because they don't know much about her opinions on legal matters.
“We are lacking that paper trail of your own thought, your own opinion, your own personal writing reflecting that,” says King.
Gardner hasn’t previously served as a judge. She says her job as a law clerk to a federal judge has stopped her from sharing her opinions in legal writings. She pointed to hundreds of pages of documents she submitted, including educational writing and legal analysis.
“I don’t know that you want judges who are extremely opinionated on certain topics or issues of the law. What you’re looking for, I hope, are people that can apply the facts to the law objectively,” says Gardner.
Governor Sam Brownback has nominated Gardner to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals, but first she must be confirmed by the Senate. A hearing on her nomination continues on Thursday.
Original Story:
A Kansas Senate committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to study the governor’s choice to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals. Governor Sam Brownback has picked Topeka attorney Kathryn Gardner to fill the open seat. Stephen Koranda reports.
During the hearing, senators will hear from any supporters and opponents of Gardner’s nomination. Then, senators will have a chance to pepper Gardner with questions about her experience and qualifications.
When Brownback announced that Gardner would be his pick, he said she meets the standards Kansans set for judges.
"Kansans want judges who possess a keen intellect, strength of character, integrity and respect for the rule of law. Kansans want judges who reflect and respect the values of our great state," says Brownback.
Gardner has been a practicing attorney and for 15 years has worked for U.S. District Judge Sam Crow.
If confirmed by the Kansas Senate, Gardner would replace Caleb Stegall. Brownback previously appointed Stegall to the Court of Appeals, and later appointed him to the Kansas Supreme Court.
