Font ResizeLAS CRUCES - Three prosecutors who worked for Gov. Susana Martinez are among 15 lawyers applying for vacant judgeships in southern New Mexico.
Martinez was district attorney in Dona A a County before becoming governor.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Susan Riedel, Assistant District Attorney Richard Wellborn (who ran for a judicial vacancy last year) and Deputy District Attorney Jacinto Palomino are among the candidates.
Other candidates are attorneys Marci E. Beyer, Keith S. Burn, Rosanne Camu ez, Randy M. Castellano, Frank N. Chavez, John P. Cosentino, Richard M. Jacquez, William M. Kinsella Jr., Francisco M. Ortiz, Anthony C. Potter, Edith M. Reeves and Daniel Sosa III.
A judicial nominating commission will meet next week to screen applicants for two judgeships in the 3rd Judicial District and recommend candidates to the governor, who makes the final pick. Beyer's husband, Michael Stout, currently sits on the nominating commission; it is unknown if he will step down because of a potential conflict of interest.
The vacancies were created by the retirement of District Judges Jerald Valentine and Stephen Bridgforth, who delivered the oath of office to Martinez at a private ceremony when she became governor at midnight Saturday.
