The Eagle’s endorsements of District Court judge candidates

District 18, Division 7

Republican

Jon Von Achen, 44, is the choice in Division 7 because of his wide array of experience practicing law and his experience as a municipal court judge. An attorney for 18 years, Von Achen has criminal and civil experience in private practice and as a government attorney, first with then-Social and Rehabilitation Services and most recently as assistant county counselor in Sedgwick County from 2015-17 before returning to private practice. From 2010-15, Von Achen was a municipal court judge in Kiowa, gaining experience on conducting court in a small-town setting. That experience will help him be a good district court judge quickly, emphasizing clear explanations in his rulings over quick decisions without detail.

Rodger Woods, 48, has been an attorney since 2000, mostly doing criminal defense work in a private practice before working for the Kansas National Guard, on Republican gubernatorial and congressional campaigns, and time as state policy director for Americans for Prosperity. He currently works for Rep. Ron Estes’ office as district counsel and a military affairs caseworker.

The winner will face Democratic nominee Joni Cole in the Nov. 6 general election.

District 18, Division 17

Republican

David Lowden, who’s been in the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office 26 years, is the clear choice in this division primary. Lowden, 51, heads the DA’s post-conviction office, handling motions made by felons asserting constitutional violations during their trial. In that work, Lowden is often in court and communicating with judges. He also reads scores of trial transcripts that give him more depth as to what can make a good District Court judge.

Lowden was the office’s chief of appeals for eight years and has also worked in juvenile prosecutions. In both roles, he understands and values the importance that judges play in an efficient judicial system. He has not practiced civil, domestic or family law, but would be a quick study as a judge and be able to officiate those cases. Lowden has a reputation as a straight shooter — receiving overwhelmingly positive marks in this summer’s judicial survey — and would be an asset to the county’s district court system.

Linda Kirby is running for a judgeship for a fourth time. She has had her own law practice for 29 years, dealing mainly in civil, family law and probate cases. She has also taught in law school and said she would act as a educator from the bench. But she lacks the jury trial experience of Lowden.

Scott Anderson has been an attorney for five years. He has spent almost all of that time in the courtroom, currently as a public defender.

Richard Paugh, 53, has been practicing law for 10 years, the last 3½ years in private practice. He has experience in all courts — criminal, family, probate, juvenile and traffic.

There is no Democratic nominee, so the winner of this primary will be the division judge.