Primghar, IA (Northwest Iowa Now) — The judicial nominating commission for District Court 3A, which covers Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties have interviewed the three candidates for the vacant judge’s position.

Applicants were Associate Judge Andrew Smith from Alta, Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Specketer from Rembrandt, and Emmet County County Attorney Melanie Summer Bauler. Instead of choosing one, their recommendation to the Governor will be either Smith or Specketer.

The judgeship opened up when the Governor promoted John M. Sandy of Spirit Lake to the Iowa Court of Appeals earlier this year.