Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Patrick McElyea as district court judge in the Seventh Judicial District.

McElyea will fill the judicial seat formerly held by Judge Paul L. Macek. McElyea received his law degree from Drake University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Central College. He currently serves as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Iowa.

The Seventh Judicial District includes Jackson, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine and Cedar counties.