Local judge finalist for Supreme Court

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A Tippecanoe County judge is one step closer to making her way to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Juvenile Court Judge Loretta Rush is one of three finalists for a Supreme Court vacancy.

While Judge Rush said she still has a long road ahead of her, she's hopeful she has what it takes to get a seat on the bench at the State House.

From representing clients in the courtroom, to leading the way in the courtroom, Judge Rush has done it all.

"I have the combination of being on both sides of the bench. I have about 30 years of experience of courtroom experience probably in most of the seats in a courtroom," Judge Loretta Rush said.

Prior to taking a seat as a Juvenile Court Judge in Tippecanoe County, Judge Rush spent several years as an attorney in Lafayette.

"Before I went on the bench, for 15 years I was a litigation attorney and I represented clients in a broad variety of areas in Lafayette," Judge Rush said.

But Judge Rush's next step could be the State House. After several people encouraged her to apply for the vacant position for the Indiana Supreme Court, she went ahead and did so and now she's one of three finalists, beating out 19 other applicants for the honor.

"It was a long process. First, you start off by thinking about doing it. And then the application process was pretty intense. And then I was thrilled to get through the first interview and then I was notified on Wednesday evening that I had made the final three, so it is quite the journey," Judge Rush said.

A journey she hopes to end at the state's capital. If appointed, Judge Rush would serve as the state's 108th justice.

The names of the finalists have been sent to Governor Mitch Daniels who will make the final selection within 60 days.

Judge Steven Nation of Hamilton County and Geoffrey Slaughter of Indianapolis were also named final candidates.

Earlier this year, Justice Frank Sullivan announced he would step down from the bench.