Nine applicants vying for judge position

CLOVIS — A field of nine applicants was released Friday afternoon to fill the seat of recently retired District Judge Matt Chandler, according to a release from the New Mexico Judicial Selection Office.

The field includes a former district attorney, a former county commissioner and both prosecutors and public defenders working in the Ninth Judicial District.

Chandler’s last day on the bench was Friday, following a legal career that included 10 years as district attorney and his 2015 appointment to the district bench.

The nominating commission will convene 9 a.m. Aug. 25 at the Curry County Courthouse to make determinations on who to nominate for the position — which would be appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The meeting is open to the public, and any individual who wishes to speak about the candidates will receive a speaking opportunity. Face masks are required for unvaccinated individuals.

Candidates for the position, listed by the release in alphabetical order, are:

• Angelina Baca, a private practice attorney and a former Curry County Commissioner

• Jake Boazman, deputy district attorney

• Brett Carter, who preceded Chandler as DA and has also served in the public defender’s office

• Christian Christensen, who began working with the public defender’s office in 2006

• Benjamin Cross, an attorney with the district court and a former assistant district attorney

• Quentin Ray, deputy district attorney

• Justin Lynn Robbs, a Clovis native and Eastern New Mexico University graduate who is listed with the Civerolo, Gralow and Hill law firm of Albuquerque

• Brian Stover, chief deputy district attorney

• Erin Sumrall Van Soelen, deputy district attorney. Van Soelen is married to current Division III District Judge Fred Van Soelen.

Carter, Christenesen, Cross, Stover and Van Soelen were all sent as nominations, along with Chandler, in 2015 to then-Gov. Susana Martinez to fill the vacancy created by Stephen Quinn’s retirement.