Magistrate and defense lawyer nominated as next district judge

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Johnson County magistrate and a defense attorney were nominated Wednesday by the 6th Judicial District Nomination Commission to fill a district judge vacancy.

Brandon Schrock, who works for the Linn County Advocates and represents defendants in Johnson County, and David Cox, who has been a magistrate in the district since 2018, have been nominated to replace District Judge Mary Chicchelly. She was appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals last month. She had served on the district court since 2013.

The two applicants interviewed with the commission Wednesday, and Judge Fae Hoover, chair of the commission, announced the nominees at the end of the day.

Seven others had applied for the position.

The commission forwarded the names of the two nominees to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who will appoint one to the bench within 30 days of the nomination.

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