The only candidate in the upcoming election for Hardin Family Court, Division 1 will get to start the job a little sooner than expected.
Dawn Lonneman Blair of Elizabethtown will assume the judgeship Friday when she is sworn in. Her official duties begin Monday.
Blair received a call Tuesday afternoon from Governor Andy Beshear informing her of the appointment.
She had been one of three candidates provided to Beshear by the Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the seat. Other nominees were assistant county attorney Melanie Goff and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Teresa E. Logsdon.
Having worked in private practice for 15 years and more recently as assistant Hardin County attorney for the past six years, Blair said she is looking forward to her new role.
Blair expects to start Monday hearing a domestic violence docket.
Blair sought the judgeship once before in 2014, losing by 511 votes to incumbent Pamela Addington, who Blair now replaces. Addington’s retirement took effect February 1.
The work includes reviewing near fatalities and fatalities cases involving children where suspected neglect or abuse is involved.
The panel makes recommendations to try to address issues, especially those that appear frequently, Blair said, adding that sometimes those recommendations lead to legislation in the General Assembly.
Blair will serve out the remainder of Addington’s term, which ends at the end of the year. If elected in the November general election, Blair will serve an eight-year term.
The swearing-in ceremony for Blair is 3:30 p.m. Friday at Hardin County Justice Center in the family courtroom in Elizabethtown.
Source: NE
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