Gov. Jim Pillen set to name Nebraska’s next chief justice on Friday

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Gov. Jim Pillen plans to announce his appointment for chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday.

A press conference will be held in the state Capitol at 10 a.m.

The Nebraska Supreme Court consists of the chief justice and six associate judges. The chief justice represents the state at large, while each associate represents his or her judicial district.

Chief Justice Mike Heavican is retiring on Oct. 31 after 18 years on the bench.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska’s chief justice to retire at end of October

The four candidates looking to become chief justice have years of experience.

Judge Jeffrey Funke is already on the state’s high court. He became a judge in 2007 and joined the Supreme Court in 2016.

Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post is also a candidate. He has been on the bench since 2021 and also spent six years as an assistant state attorney general.

SEE ALSO: Panel sends Pillen four finalists for Nebraska chief justice

Another candidate is Judge David Bargen of the 1st Judicial District. He was appointed to the position in 2022 following 16 years in private practice.

The final candidate is Judge PaTricia Freeman. She has served on the bench in the 2nd Judicial District since 2017, and worked 23 years in the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office.

The news conference will be streamed live on Channel 8’s website.