LINCOLN – Two nominees have been named for a judicial position in east central Nebraska.

On Wednesday, the Judicial Nominating Commission announced that Thomas J. Klein of Wahoo and Denise J. Kracl of Schuyler have been named as candidates for the county judge position in the Fifth Judicial District.

The district consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward and York Counties.

Gov. Pete Ricketts will consider both Klein and Kracl for the position before making the decision.

Kracl serves as the Colfax County Attorney, having served in the position for 11 years. She also serves as the spokesperson for the Colfax County Sheriff's Office. Klein is a public defender in Saunders County. He also works for a private law firm in Wahoo.

The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Columbus. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Frank J. Skorupa.