On Tuesday, Governor Matt Bevin appointed Nicholasville resident Paul Douglas Floyd as the Magistrate for the Fifth District of Jessamine County. 

Floyd, a lifelong resident of Jessamine County, is a self-employed farmer and operator of Floyd’s Greenhouse. 

Floyd will serve the remainder of the term of the late Burch Hager, who passed away on March 8. In accordance with Kentucky law, when a magistrate passes away, their active term is fulfilled by a new magistrate appointed by the governor. Jessamine County Judge Executive David West told the Jessamine Journal Wednesday morning that his role in the process was simply notification.

“If almost any other official in the county dies, the judge executive makes the appointment,” West explained. “But if a magistrate dies, it’s the judge’s duty to notify the governor’s office, which I did in writing. From there, applications were taken for the Department of Boards and Commissions.”

West said that several applications were picked up in his office by interested potential candidates. From that list of applications, Governor Bevin selected Floyd.

“I’m glad that the people of that district now have a magistrate,” West said.

The position will again be up for election in November 2018.