Gov. Eric Holcomb is announcing the appointment of Mary DeBoer to the bench of the Porter County Circuit Court, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mary Harper, effective on Dec. 3.

Harper holds the distinction of being the longest serving woman in the Indiana judiciary.

Following her graduation from law school, DeBoer served as a deputy prosecutor in Starke and Porter counties. DeBoer has also been in private practice. Since 2011, she has served as a magistrate for the Porter County Superior Courts in Valparaiso.

DeBoer earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. She will be sworn into office on a date to be determined.