ALPENA — At least two Alpena attorneys, including Alpena County Prosecutor Ed Black, will apply to fill the 26th Circuit Court judge position vacated by the embattled Judge Michael Mack.

Black and attorney Lora Greene, who ran for state rep last year, confirmed their intention to vie for the seat currently held by Mack, who was suspended last week amid a police investigation and announced last week he will retire on Jan. 3.

Police have not disclosed what prompted their investigation.

The job opening for the judgeship, covering Alpena and Montmorency counties, was posted Tuesday on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s website, with an application deadline of 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

By Michigan law, the vacancy must be filled by appointment of the governor until Mack’s term expires at the end of 2020. Voters will choose the next Circuit Court judge next year.

If Black were appointed to the judgeship, appointment of his replacement would fall to the circuit court judge.

True North Radio first reported Black and Greene’s intentions on Wednesday.

Whether the appointment will be before or not until Mack’s official retirement date has not yet been determined, according to the governor’s office.

Candidates for the position must complete and have notarized a 33-page document with detailed information spanning their entire career. They will answer extensive background questions about criminal history, conflicts of interest, personal financial history, disciplinary action taken against them, and plans for winding up a law practice or severing relationships with current clients and employers.

After a review of applications, resumes, and letters of recommendation, candidates may be interviewed and rated by the State Bar’s Judicial Qualifications Committee, which will conduct a thorough background check of each applicant’s fitness to serve as a judge. Certain candidates may then be selected for further consideration by the governor’s office before Whitmer makes an appointment.

Details as to a specific plan for covering the court caseload until a new judge is appointed are not yet clear.

Newly appointed chief judge Benjamin Bolser, who presided over Monday’s Circuit Court hearing day, referred all questions to Michigan Supreme Court spokesman John Nevin.

The Alpena court is approaching the question on a day-by-day basis, Nevin told The News, and is well aware of the workload involved. He said the court is working with retired and visiting judges to make sure the docket is covered.

Both Black and Greene are Democrats. Mack was first appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, in 2003. Whitmer also is a Democrat.

The Supreme Court on Nov. 13 suspended Mack as chief judge over Alpena and Montmorency counties and replaced him with Bolser, the Montmorency County probate judge. Bolser then suspended Mack from hearing or ruling on cases.

The Michigan State Police confirmed the next day Mack is under investigation, but officials have refused to comment further on the ongoing probe.

Mack has not responded to requests for comment.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.