Three decades of finalists

Each time a vacancy occurs on the Indiana Supreme Court, applicants go before the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission to face questions about why they should be elevated to the highest bench in the state judiciary. Three individuals are chosen as finalists and those names are sent to the governor, who makes the final decision. Here is a look at those who’ve been finalists in the past 25 years and their positions or titles at that time.

2010 – Seat being vacated by Justice Theodore R. Boehm

34 applicants; 9 semi-finalists

• Hon. Steven H. David, Boone Circuit Court

• Hon. Robyn L. Moberly, Marion Superior Court

• Karl Mulvaney, Indianaplis attorney

Gov. Mitch Daniels has 60 days in which to select the next justice.

1999 – Seat vacated by Justice Myra Selby

25 initial applicants; 7 semi-finalists

• Hon. Robert D. Rucker, Indiana Court of Appeals; chosen by Gov. Frank O’Bannon

• Hon. Nancy Vaidik, Porter Superior Court

• Mary Beth Ramey, Indianapolis attorney

1996 – Seat vacated by Justice Richard DeBruler

23 or 24 initial applicants; 9 semi-finalists

• Theodore R. Boehm, Indianapolis attorney; chosen by Gov. Evan Bayh

• Hon. Sanford M. Brook, St. Joseph Superior Court

• Hon. Edward Najam, Indiana Court of Appeals

1994 – Seat vacated by Justice Richard Givan

10 initial applicants but extended deadline resulted in14 applicants; 6 semi-finalists

• Myra C. Selby, Indianapolis attorney; chosen by Gov. Bayh

• Hon. Betty A. Barteau, Indiana Court of Appeals

• Anne Marie Sedwick, Jeffersonville attorney

1993 – Seat vacated by Justice Jon D. Krahulik

28 applicants for opening on both the Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals; 10 semi-finalists

• Frank E. Sullivan, Indianapolis attorney; chosen by Gov. Bayh

• Hon. Betty A. Barteau, Indiana Court of Appeals

• Hon. James S. Kirsch, Marion Superior Court

1990 – Seat vacated by Justice Alfred Pivarnik

13 applicants; 5 semi-finalists

• Jon D. Krahulik, Indianapolis attorney; chosen by Gov. Bayh

• Hon. John G. Baker, Indiana Court of Appeals

• Hon. Jeanne Jourdan, St. Joseph Superior Court

1985/1986 – Seat vacated by Justice Dixon Prentice

Number of applicants and semi-finalists not known or a matter of public record

• Brent E. Dickson, Lafayette attorney; chosen by Gov. Robert Orr

• Hon. Robert Staton, Indiana Court of Appeals

• Lila J. Cornell, Indianapolis attorney

1985 – Seat vacated by Justice Donald Hunter

36 applicants; number of semi-finalists not known or a matter of matter of public record

• Hon. Randall T. Shepard, Vanderburgh Superior Court; chosen by Gov. Orr

• Patrick Woods Harrison, Columbus attorney

• Hon. Raymond Thomas Green, Bartholomew Circuit Court

Prior to that time, the last Indiana Supreme Court opening came in 1977 when Justice Pivarnik replaced Justice Norman Arterburn.

Source: IL archives and research