TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former aide to Republican Governor Sam Brownback who now serves on the Kansas Court of Appeals is among 14 applicants seeking to fill a state Supreme Court vacancy. Thursday was the application deadline. Judge Caleb Stegall and three other Court of Appeals members, including Chief Judge Thomas Malone, applied, along with seven lawyers and three district court judges. Supreme Court Justice Nancy Moritz is stepping down July 28 for a seat on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will interview the applicants August 4 and 5 and submit three finalists to Brownback. Stegall was Brownback's chief counsel before the governor named him to the Court of Appeals last year under a new method bypassing the commission but adding Kansas Senate confirmation.