Des Moines, IA (KICD) — When Governor Reynolds appointed District Court Judge John M. Sandy to the Iowa Court of Appeals, it created a position in District 3-A covering Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties.

Three lawyers have applied to fill the vacancy: Emmet County Attorney Melanie Summer Bauler from Estherville, Andrew J. Smith from Alta, and Elizabeth Specketer of Rembrandt.

A special nominating commission is scheduled to interview the three candidates August 20th at the O’Brien County Courthouse, and then to pass along their recommendation to the Governor.