Ask Lisa Beran and Levi Morris to name their greatest strength as candidates for district judge in the 20th Judicial District and they will give you the same answer — experience. Beran has served as an attor

Beran has served as an attorney in Barton County for 33 years, taking on a variety of cases, including business litigation, insurance defense, medical malpractice, criminal, domestic and child-in-need-of-care cases. Morris joined the Barton

As an assistant attorney in the Barton County Attorney’s Office,  Morris was responsible for prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as child-in-need-care and juvenile offender cases. Then, after more than two years in private practice at Lyons, Morris was appointed in 2018 to serve as Barton County attorney following a major public feud between that office and the Barton County sheriff that ended with the former county attorney’s resignation. Morris

Morris said he was the only attorney to apply for a job that at the time was considered “undesirable” and “politically radioactive.”

He and Beran, both Republicans, are seeking to fill the seat currently held by the retiring Judge Mike Keeley. Their names will appear on the Aug. 4 primary ballot as one of two contested races in Ellsworth County, which is part of the 20 Judicial District The district also covers Barton, Russell, Rice and Stafford counties.

The other race, also involving two Republican candidates, Peggy Svaty and Rita Sunderland, both of Ellsworth, is for magistrate judge.

A Democrat has not filed for either position, so it appears the winners of the primary will sail through the Nov. 3 general election without opposition. Both Beran and Morris say

Both Beran and Morris say their party affiliation will have nothing to do with their decisions.

“Over the years, I have had the privilege of appearing before many judges for whom I have the greatest respect,” said Beran, who calls herself a lifelong Republican. “As a district judge, I would make every effort to continue their legacy of providing a fair hearing to all litigants in the administration of justice.

“A good judge — you shouldn’t know by their decision what their political party is.”

Morris shares her outlook.

“Party politics have no place on the bench,” he said.

Morris said his career, which included an unsuccessful run in 2016 against incumbent Richard Wilborn for the Kansas Senate as a Democrat, has taken him to many judicial districts, where he gathered ideas that have helped him as county attorney to move cases through the system in a timely manner.

Morris said he has experience on both sides of the courtroom — as a prosecutor protecting the rights of the public and as a criminal defense attorney protecting the rights of the accused.

Morris and his wife, Chelsea, are residents of Barton County. Beran, who also has served

Beran, who also has served as a mediator in domestic cases, has owned her own law practice since 1995.

“I believe I have significant experience, both personal and professional, to bring to the bench,” she said.

She is married to Gerald Beran Jr., a partner in Beran Brothers, a farming and ranching operation in Barton and Russell counties. They have two children, Emily and Matt, both graduates of Claflin High School and the University of Kansas. Included in her community volunteer jobs, Lisa Beran serves as chairman of the Clara Barton Hospital board of directors.

Correction

In the July 23 edition of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter, a word was inadvertently changed in a response from magistrate judge candidate Peggy Svaty of Ellsworth. Here is the question she was asked and the correct response.

2. What is there about this job that appeals to you?

Holding the position of Municipal Judge has engaged me to furthering my ability in the courtroom.