As Lyon County Judge Merlin Wheeler prepares for retirement next month, his daughter has advanced in the process for another judicial position.
Kristen Wheeler is one of three finalists for the Kansas Court of Appeals judge position opening up when Judge Anthony Powell retires. Following time at a private law practice in Wichita and time spent as a clerk for US District Court Judge Thomas Marten, Wheeler is now the chair of the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.
Wheeler joins Meryl Carver-Allmond, the training director for the Kansas public defender system, and Third District Judge Rachel Pickering, as finalists.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will appoint one nominee for Kansas Senate confirmation later this year.
