(a) When a vacancy occurs in the office of county attorney, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor of a person elected by a district convention, in accordance with Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-3902, and amendments thereto. If the vacancy occurs on or after May 1 of the second year of the term, the person so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualifies. If the vacancy occurs before May 1 of the second year of the term, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and qualifies at the next county general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Nomination and election of such successor shall be in the same manner as nomination and election of a county attorney for a regular term.

(b) When a vacancy occurs in the office of county attorney, the district judges of the judicial district in which the county is located shall appoint a person to serve as temporary county attorney until a person is appointed and qualifies to fill the vacancy in accordance with subsection (a). A person appointed as temporary county attorney shall be an elector of the same political party as such person’s predecessor.

(c) A county attorney or temporary county attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall have the same powers and duties and be subject to the same qualifications as an elected county attorney.