DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Chet Culver appointed Grundy County Attorney Bradley J. Harris to serve as northeast Iowa's next district judge.

Harris, 51, of Grundy Center, also is in private practice with firm Kliebenstein, Heronimus, Schmidt & Harris.

Harris has been both the Grundy County attorney since 2003 and the city attorney for Grundy Center since 2004.

"His vast experience in both the public and private sectors makes him well-equipped to serve in this new capacity," Culver said in a statement. "I have no doubt that Mr. Harris' expertise will be an asset to Iowa's judicial system and the 1st District."

Harris received his bachelor's degree in economics from Loras College in 1976 and went on to receive his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1980.

Harris will serve as a judge in District 1B, which includes Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy and Howard counties.

The Judicial Nominating Commission for the district forwarded two candidates to Culver for consideration from a pool of 14 candidates. The other finalist for the job was Richard Stochl, 43, a lawyer in private practice from New Hampton.

Harris will fill a vacancy left by the retirement of District Judge K.D. Briner earlier this year.

Contact Charlotte Eby at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.