Local public defender makes short list for district judge
(Photo courtesy TINGEY INJURY LAW FIRM)
SANDPOINT — Last Thursday, the Idaho Judicial Council interviewed five candidates to fill Judge Barbara Buchanan’s post when she retires next January.
Buchanan announced this summery that she plans to retire Jan. 30,2023, after serving 10 years as an Idaho district judge and a lifetime in the legal system.
Monte C. Gray, Tera A. Harden, Daniel L. Rodriguez, Susie D. Jensen, and Ross D. Pittman all applied for the job.
Gray is the assistant general counsel for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Pocatello. Harden is a First Judicial District magistrate judge in Sandpoint. Jensen is the chief public defender for Bonner County. Pittman is a First Judicial District magistrate judge in Coeur d’Alene. Rodriguez is the chief deputy prosecuting attorney for Bonner County.
Pittman and Jensen were the only two candidates who made it past the first round. Their names will be sent to Gov. Brad Little to make a selection to be North Idaho's next district judge.