3 judges among applicants for Court of Appeals appointment

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three judges and six other lawyers have applied for appointment to fill a vacancy on the New Mexico Court of Appeals. The judges applying for the vacancy left by Judge Michael Bustamante's retirement include current Court of Appeals Judge Stephen French. French is a Republican who was appointed to the court but who lost a bid for his current seat in the Nov. 8 general election to Democrat Julie Vargas. The other judges applying for the vacancy are Sandoval County Magistrate William Mast and Judge Briana Zamora of state District Court in Albuquerque. The remaining applicants are attorneys Henry Bohnhoff, Kristina Bogardus, Paul William Grace, Emil Kiehne, Kerry Kiernan and Jacqueline Medina. Gov. Susana Martinez will appoint the new Court of Appeals judge, picking from among the commission's nominees.