FRANKFORT — Tom Emberton of Edmonton, a judge on the Court of Appeals for 13 years and a former Republican gubernatorial nominee, has been elected chief judge.

        Judge Emberton will take over his duties Monday. He was elected by the other 13 members of the state's intermediate court.

        Paul Gudgel of Lexington stepped aside as chief judge and will retire from the bench in November after 32 years.

        Judge Emberton was appointed to the court in 1989 to succeed Kenton Cooper after his death. He has subsequently been elected to the position three times.

        Judge Emberton, a Western Kentucky University and University of Louisville law school graduate, was county attorney in Metcalfe County and later a member of the Public Service Commission. Judge Emberton was the 1971 GOP nominee for governor. He was defeated by Wendell Ford.

        Judge Emberton becomes the second Republican chief presiding officer over Kentucky appellate courts. Chief Justice Joseph Lambert is also a Republican, although judicial elections in Kentucky are nonpartisan. Chief Justice Lambert administered the oath of office to Judge Emberton on Thursday.

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