Dayton close to naming Minnesota Supreme Court pick
Gov. Mark Dayton is close to naming his pick for a soon-vacant seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
His selection would replace Justice Wilhelmina Wright, who was confirmed this week by the U.S. Senate for a federal judgeship. He has scheduled a news conference for Friday to announce judicial appointments.
Dayton told Minnesota Public Radio News on Thursday that Wright's upcoming departure leaves a big hole on the seven-member state Supreme Court.
He has made three prior selections to the court, including Wright.
The governor said he is looking for someone with proven experience.
"I want it to be fair on the court," Dayton said. "I'm not looking for one ideological view or another — and frankly, I'm not a lawyer, I'm not a judge, I don't have the expertise to evaluate people's judicial philosophy. I'm looking for quality people and I know I have found them so far."
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