COEUR d’ALENE — The current county commissioners might choose Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh’s replacement when he takes the bench next year.

McHugh announced in February his intention to become a district judge, following the retirement of Judge Lansing Haynes.

When a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, Idaho’s governor usually appoints a judge from a list of names provided by the Idaho Judicial Council. Judges must then run in nonpartisan elections to remain on the court.

However, the judicial council determined that Haynes’ position could not be filled in time to exempt it from the May ballot.

McHugh ran for the nonpartisan judicial position unopposed in Tuesday’s election, garnering a little more than 26,000 votes.

He has served as the county's prosecuting attorney since 2009, winning four elections as a Republican, most recently in 2020.

Because McHugh is a Republican, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee will recommend to the board of county commissioners three potential candidates to replace McHugh as Kootenai County's top prosecutor.

The central committee must provide the nominations within 15 days of the office becoming vacant.

McHugh is set to take the bench Jan. 2, one week before the county officials who win the general election are sworn in.