LINCOLN, Neb. -- On Thursday, the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fifth District of the Nebraska Supreme Court advanced the names of three applicants to Gov. Jim Pillen for him to consider.

The applicants are David J. A. Bargen, of Adams; Jason M. Bergevin, of Columbus; and Lawrence E. Welch Jr., of Plattsmouth.

The Supreme Court consists of the chief justice and six associate justices. The chief justice represents the state at large, while each associate represents their judicial district.

The vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District came about when Pillen promoted Associate Justice Jeffrey J. Funke to Chief Justice in October.

The Fifth Judicial District covers Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Fillmore, Gage, Hall, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Webster and York counties.