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Colona appointed to associate judge in St. Louis

A former Democratic state lawmaker has been picked to fill a judicial vacancy in St. Louis.

Gov. Mike Parson appointed Mike Colona as an associate circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit on Friday. The vacancy was created when Madeline Orling Connolly was promoted to judge. 

Colona, of St. Louis, is the managing attorney of the law firm Colona & Gentle and serves as the Provisional Municipal Court judge for Holts Summit. Previously, he served eight years in the Missouri House. Before redistricting, he represented HD 67; after, he represented HD 80. 

In the run-up to the 2018 election, Colona served as treasurer for Missourians for Patient Care, a committee backing — unsuccessfully — one of three medical marijuana questions on the ballot. This spring, he testified in favor of making changes to the state’s Title IX rules. Colona also was one of the lawyers who represented Penny Hubbard in the case brought by Bruce Franks involving voter fraud and voting irregularities.

Colona holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Truman State University in Kirksville and a Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law. 

The other candidates nominated for the opening by the 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission were Micah D. Hall and Steven J. Capizzi. In total, 23 people applied for the position.

Parson also appointed Kevin Selby as circuit judge for the 40th Judicial Circuit. He will fill the circuit judge position created by the Missouri General Assembly in 2018.

Selby, of Stark City, serves as an associate circuit judge for the 40th Judicial Circuit. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California.