Media outlets have sued Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and others in his administration seeking public disclosure of agency records related to the appointment of a magistrate judge in Reno County.

The Associated Press, The Hutchinson News and the Kansas Press Association filed the open records lawsuit late Wednesday in Shawnee County District Court. The Kansas Press Association represents more than 230 member newspapers throughout the state.

The governor’s spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, declined to comment on the pending litigation.

At issue is the state’s refusal to release documents submitted by candidates seeking appointment to the position of Reno County magistrate judge left vacant by the retirement of Randall McEwen.

Media attorney Nathanael Berg says the public has an interest in who’s selected to be magistrate judge and how they are selected.