Commission Sends Four Nominees to Pillen for Judgeship
The Judicial Nominating Commission has forwarded four candidates to Governor Jim Pillen to fill a district court seat in Nebraska's 11th Judicial District.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Criminal Justice
The Judicial Nominating Commission forwarded four candidates to Gov. Jim Pillen for a district court judgeship in Nebraska's 11th Judicial District. The vacancy follows Judge Michael E. Piccolo's appointment to the Nebraska Court of Appeals.
Why it matters
The vacancy opens a seat on a trial-level court serving 17 counties, and the governor's choice will determine who presides over cases in that district. The nomination process gives Nebraska residents a formal role through a commission-screened candidate pool.
Four candidates, Sandra J. Allen of Lincoln, Chawnta M. Durham of North Platte, Angela M. Franz of North Platte and Kristi L. Hilliard of Ogallala, were forwarded to Gov. Jim Pillen after Jose L. Rodriguez of Kearney withdrew before the commission's scheduled meeting. The governor has not yet announced a selection.
The players
Jim Pillen
Jim Pillen is the Governor of Nebraska, who holds the power to appoint judges to fill district court vacancies from commission-recommended lists.
Michael E. Piccolo
Michael E. Piccolo is a Nebraska judge whose appointment to the Nebraska Court of Appeals created the district court vacancy.
The details
The Judicial Nominating Commission reviewed applicants for the district court seat and named the four nominees now before the governor. The seat was created when Judge Michael E. Piccolo was appointed to the Nebraska Court of Appeals.
Timeline
Jose L. Rodriguez withdrew from consideration before the commission's scheduled meeting.
On November 13, 2026, four candidates were forwarded to Gov. Jim Pillen.
Roadmap
The nominations follow Nebraska's commission-based method for filling judicial vacancies, in which a nominating body screens applicants before the governor chooses. The same process has been used to fill seats across the state's trial courts when judges move up or retire.
Residents of the 11th Judicial District, which covers 17 counties, will be served by whichever judge the governor appoints to the vacant seat. The appointment will affect how quickly district court cases are heard in those communities.
The takeaway
Judicial appointments in Nebraska pass through a commission screening before reaching the governor, so the candidates reviewed by that body shape who can be chosen for a seat on the trial bench.
Further reading
Explore more Criminal Justice coverage from across Nebraska's courts and legal system.
