Robyn Williams was the only applicant for the vacant District Court judgeship in Russell, Clinton and Wayne counties, Fletcher's office said. The vacancy was created when Judge D. Jeffrey Choate resigned Aug. 3.

John Roach, Fletcher's general counsel, said Robyn Williams was "extremely qualified" to serve as a judge. Roach cited her experience as domestic relations commissioner in Russell County.

State Democratic Chairman Bill Garmer said the appointment was an example of "cronyism."

"It seems that every appointment the governor makes is somebody who is closely connected to him or his administration," Garmer said.

David Williams, who wields considerable power as Senate president, said his wife's experience prepared her for the judgeship.

"I'm delighted," Williams said. "I think she'll be a great judge."

Robyn Williams, a Russell Springs attorney, will make $104,868. She will be one of two district judges in the 40th Judicial District in southern Kentucky.

As a domestic relations commissioner, she heard all domestic matters and made recommendations to the local circuit judge.

She received her law degree in 1998 from Northern Kentucky University.

It wasn't Fletcher's first time to appoint a legislator's family member to a judgeship. In April, the governor chose Julie Reinhardt Ward to fill a vacant circuit court judgeship in Campbell County. She is the daughter of Republican state Rep. Jon David Reinhardt.