Members of the Judge Selection Committee in the 5th Judicial District, at Emporia, interviewed four candidates yesterday, Thursday, August 11, including Anderson County Attorney Elizabeth Oliver, for a Judicial opening there. The 5th Judicial District includes Lyon and Chase Counties.
Oliver was elected in November 2020 and is approaching the halfway mark of her four year term. Her office has run into headwinds with budgetary concerns, by County Commissioners and staffing shortage. Oliver told County Commissioners in October 2021 her office was juggling COVID related case delays and had 30% increase in filings since 2020, all during a time when her three-person office was a staffer short. Some members of the judge selection panel were hesitant to encourage Oliver, with an interview for the position, expressing concern about Oliver’s lack of tenure in any one spot.
