FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear appointed Kristi Renee Castillo, an associate in the Burkesville law firm of Senate President David Williams, to a district court judgeship.

Castillo is to serve as district judge for the 60th Judicial District made up of Cumberland and Monroe counties until the Nov. 2, 2010, general election. She replaces Steve D. Hurt, who resigned.

Castillio previously was assistant Cumberland County attorney. She received her law degree from the University of Louisville and her bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University.

Williams, a Republican, has predicted that Beshear, a Democrat, will appoint Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly, R-Springfield, to a vacant judgeship later this year to try to gain another seat in the Senate for the Democratic Party.

Beshear and Kelly have not commented on that possibility.