Commission announces nominees for governor’s consideration in judicial vacancy

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Staff Report//December 22, 2025//

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Three nominees have been submitted to Gov. Mike Kehoe by the 22^nd Circuit Judicial Commission as possible candidates to fill an associate circuit judge vacancy.

The chosen candidate would replace Judge Patrick E. Richmond, who was appointed by Kehoe to fill the circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Bryan L. Hettenbach.

The three nominees are Nathan Arunski, Karma Johnson and Renée Sullivan.

Arunski is an attorney in St. Louis. He obtained his law degree from the University of Kansas in 2001.

Johnson received her law degree in 2012 from the University of Missouri. She is a municipal judge and attorney.

Sullivan graduated with her JD from Cooley Law School in 2011. She is a staff attorney at the 22^nd Judicial Court.

The commission received 21 applicants total, with Arunski receiving three votes, Johnson receiving five votes and Sullivan receiving three votes.

Tags: Administrative Law, 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission, Missouri courts, Associate Circuit Judge, Mike Kehoe, Constitutional Law, judicial nominations

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