Kansas Senate confirms Kelly nominee to Court of Appeals
photo by: Contributed photo
TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate has confirmed Gov. Laura Kelly’s nomination of a Kansas City-area attorney to the state’s second-highest court.
The vote Wednesday was 37-1 for Sarah Warner of Lenexa to be Court of Appeals judge.
The Democratic governor submitted Warner’s name to the Republican-controlled Senate after it rejected Labette County District Judge Jeffry Jack’s nomination over his political tweets in 2017.
Kelly tried to withdraw Jack’s nomination in March and touched off a legal battle. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Kelly could not legally withdraw the nomination.
Warner is a partner in a Lawrence law firm that has defended state abortion restrictions. Kelly supports abortion rights.
The only no vote came from independent Sen. John Doll of Garden City. He has been protesting a lack of appointees from western Kansas.
Related stories
• May 14 — Kansas Senate rejects nominee whom governor tried to withdraw
• May 10 — Kansas Supreme Court says governor can’t withdraw appeals court nominee
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