PRESTONSBURG – Family Court Judge Johnny Ray Harris was appointed this week to fill the seat left vacant following the retirement of Circuit Judge Danny P. Caudill.

Harris was in Frankfort yesterday and unavailable to comment on the appointment, which comes a little less than a week after Harris, along with two others, were named as nominees for the seat.

The two others named as nominees were Anthony Craig Davis and Cynthia Elaine Elliott.

The three names were handed over to Gov. Steve Beshear after the nominations were turned in. Beshear had 60 days to make a decision.

Now that Harris has been appointed, should he want to continue serving in the position he will be required to run for election. Appointees to circuit judgeships must run for the unexpired term in 2010 and a full-term in 2014. Circuit judges serve eight-year terms.

It is not clear yet as to whether Harris plans to run for election to take the seat for a full term.

Harris will be sworn in to his new position at noon Monday at the Floyd County Justice Center. The ceremony is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.