Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for a Fourth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in Hennepin County. The opening occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Myron S. Greenberg on March 1, 2005. The finalists are Lorie S. Gildea, M. Jacqueline Regis, E. David Reyes, and Raymond A. Wood.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for two Second Judicial District trial court bench vacancies in Ramsey County. The first vacancy occurred with the Supreme Court's conversion of a vacant referee position into a district court judgeship. The second vacancy will occur as a result of the resignation of the Honorable Louise Dovre Bjorkman effective on April 8, 2005. The finalists are Diane R. Alshouse, Robert A. Awsumb, Colia F. Ceisel, Elizabeth V. Cutter, Douglas B. Meslow, and Clifford B. Wardlaw.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for a Seventh Judicial District trial court bench vacancy. The opening occurred with the resignation of the Honorable Kathleen A. Weir on January 4, 2005. The Supreme Court certified the chambers of this judgeship for the city of Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County. The finalists are Barbara R. Hanson, Timothy J. McLarnan, and Luke M. Seifert.

The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced a Fourth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. The opening will occur with the retirement of the Honorable Myron S. Greenberg on March 1, 2005. The Supreme Court certified the continuation of the chambers of this position for Hennepin County.

The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced three finalists for a Ninth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Bemidji in Beltrami County. The vacancy occurred with the disability retirement of the Honorable Richard C. Taylor on December 31, 2004. The Supreme Court transferred the chambers of this judgeship from Polk County to Beltrami County. The finalists are Mary Kay Klein, Kristine Kolar, and Shari Schluchter.