16 candidates vie for 21st Circuit judicial vacancy

The 21st Circuit Judicial Commission is set to interview 16 candidates who have applied to fill the vacancy created by the impending retirement of Judge Joseph Walsh.

In a press release, the commission released demographic information on the candidates, specifying that their average age is 49.06 years. The commission added that four of the candidates work in the private sector and 12 are employed in the public sector.

Seven of the candidates are women and three report being minority applicants.

The applicants are: Lorne Baker, Jason Denney, Mondonna Ghasedi, Bridget Halquist, Christopher Klaverkamp, Julia Lasater, Amanda McNelly, Jeffrey McPherson, Curtis Niewald, Krista Peyton, Ian Simmons, Thomas D. Smith, Kelly Snyder, Dean Stark, Ryan Turnage and Natalie Warner.

Interviews are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24 and Thursday, July 25, at the St. Louis County Court Building in Clayton. Interviews will be open to the public, subject to available seating. Immediately after the interviews, the commission will meet to select three nominees for the governor’s consideration.