TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed Friday Kathleen Watson of Wichita to a district court judgeship in the 18th Judicial District in Sedgwick County. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge David J. Kaufman.
“Judge Kathleen Watson has a deep commitment to public service, taking over one of the busiest dockets in Kansas as a magistrate judge and consistently deciding cases in a fair and impartial manner,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m confident she will bring the same vigor and compassion in her expanded role serving the Sedgwick County as a district court judge.”
Watson currently serves as the sole magistrate judge overseeing evictions, collections, and small claims cases in Sedgwick County. Prior to this role, she worked for Kansas Legal Services. She is active in the legal community, serving as a committee member for the Eviction Practices Committee and Judicial Education Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Wichita Bar Association and Kansas Bar Association.
“It is a profound honor to continue serving the justice system in this new capacity as a district court judge. My experience as a magistrate judge has deepened my commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the rule of law,” said Judge Kathleen Watson. “I look forward to carrying that experience forward, creating an environment that emphasizes service, openness, and fairness.”
District court judges in the 18th Judicial District are elected and serve four-year terms. When a judge retires in the middle of a term, the governor appoints a new judge to fill the vacancy and finish out the term. Elections for this position will be held in 2026.
