MOHAVE COUNTY – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is allowing two weeks more for those eligible to apply for appointment to the vacancy created by the end of June retirement of Division 1 Mohave County Superior Court Judge Charles Gurtler. The Fort Mohave resident who presides in Bullhead City is wrapping up a 27-year career on the bench.
The initial application deadline for the position was May 28 and Ducey spokesperson C.J. Karamargin anticipated the possibility of disclosing the number and names of the judicial contenders early this week. Instead, the Governor’s Office has announced that the application deadline has now been extended to June 11.
Applicant identities, thus far, have not been publicly disclosed.
“Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law in Arizona, a resident of Arizona for the past five years and a resident of Mohave County for the past year,” a Ducey website news release said. “A signed original application with all attachments, and a searchable .pdf version of the application and attachments must be submitted to Anni Foster, General Counsel, Office of Governor Doug Ducey, Executive Tower, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021.”
Applications and additional information can be downloaded at https://azgovernor.gov/judges.
Friday also marked passage of a second the deadline for Governor’s Office application for possible appointment as Clerk as Mohave County Superior Court. The initial deadline of May 17 was extended to June 4.
Former Clerk Virlynn Tinnell resigned the position to become Justice of the Peace in mid-April. Gurtler appointed Tinnell’s deputy director Christina Spurlock to serve as interim clerk until the Governor fills the post by appointment.
Spurlock and Constable Mike Cobb have both confirmed that they’ve applied for appointment and also plan to run for the position in next year’s election cycle. Gurtler’s Division 1 judicial post will be filled again then as well.
Dave Hawkins