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KS Commission Member Says Judicial Process Is Biased

A member of the Kansas commission that screens applicants for the state's appellate courts says it was biased against conservative candidates in its most recent deliberations.

Commission member Felita Kahrs of Topeka said Tuesday the panel finally advanced one conservative's nomination to the governor last month to avoid angering lawmakers seeking to change the selection process.

Kahrs is among four non-lawyers on the nine-member commission and was appointed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2011.

The commission nominates three finalists for appellate court vacancies. The governor makes the appointment, with no role for legislators. Supporters say that process eliminates politics.