DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The governor has filled a judgeship opening in Iowa’s 5th Judicial District. The office of Gov. Terry Branstad said Wednesday that he selected Jeffrey Farrell to become a district court judge. Counties in the 5th District are Adair, Adams, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren and Wayne.

Farrell is chief administrative law judge at the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. He received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Farrell fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Christopher McDonald to the Iowa Court of Appeals.