WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is appealing a judge’s ruling that the state must release candidates’ applications for two county commission openings filled by Gov. Sam Brownback.

The state has filed a notice of appeal in the lawsuit brought by The Salina Journal and The Associated Press seeking the disclosure of information on more than two dozen applicants for newly created Saline County Commission seats.

Saline County residents voted in November 2014 to expand the commission from three to five members.

The AP and the newspaper argued that applicants’ names and other details are public information. Brownback’s office argued they are personnel records exempt from the state’s open records law.

Shawnee County District Judge Rebecca Crotty ruled in December in favor of AP and the newspaper.