Judicial Vacancies

The Constitution of New Mexico mandates conduction of Judicial selection by the Judicial Nominating Commission, a board comprised of New Mexico Judges, attorneys and citizens, chaired by the Dean of the UNM School of Law.

The Commission solicits applications, interviews and recommends candidates to the Governor of New Mexico for each judicial vacancy on either of the state appellate courts, any of the 13 state district courts, and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.

Magistrate court vacancies are not subject to this process. Information about current magistrate court vacancies, and application procedures, can be found on the Governor’s website.

Eighth Judicial District Court – Raton, New Mexico Judicial Nominating Commission Candidate Announcement

July 19, 2023

The Eighth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Eighth Judicial District Court located at 105 Albright St., Taos, New Mexico to interview applicants for the position in the Eighth Judicial District Court in Raton, NM due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Melissa Kennelly, effective June 30, 2023.

The Commission recommends the following candidates to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:

The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:

Ben Andrew Mondragon

Elizabeth A. Musselman

Steven Anthony Romero