The Judicial Nominating Commission has announced the three nominees for the vacant Court of Appeals judgeship, including a Christian County familiar.
The three nominees are Christian County Family Court Judge Jason Fleming, David Cowan Buckingham of Murray and Lisa Payne Jones of Owensboro. One will be chosen by the governor to fill the Appellate judgeship that was left vacant in November when Judge Donna L. Dixon retired.
Fleming—who has filed his paperwork to seek that position in election—has served as the Family Court judge for Christian County for more than 16 years.
Buckingham is a former judge and served as the appointed justice for the 1st Supreme Court District from March 2019 until Justice Christopher Shea Nickell was elected and took the bench in December 2019.
Jones has served as a Circuit Court judge for Daviess County for more than three years and is the chief circuit judge. She took the circuit bench after having been a Daviess District Court judge since 2001.
Once he receives the list of nominees, Governor Andy Beshear has 60 days to appoint a replacement.