Eighteen Iowans applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that will occur upon the retirement of Chief Judge Thomas Bower. The nominating commission met May 29 to interview the applicants. Following the interviews, the commission deliberated and selected five nominees and delivered the slate to the governor. The nominees are Judge Jeffrey Bert, Bettendorf; Judge Alan Heavens, Garnavillo; Judge Amy Moore, Ames; Judge John Sandy, Spirit Lake and Judge Shawn Showers, Washington. The governor has 30 days to appoint the new judge. The 17-member commission is composed of eight commissioners elected by lawyers licensed to practice law in Iowa, and nine commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. More information about the commissioners and the nominees is on the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commissions website.