Gildea sworn in as Minn. chief justice
The 22nd Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and the court's newest associate justice were sworn in on Monday.
Lorie Gildea was sworn in as chief justice at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office to Dan Stras.
In prepared remarks, Gildea said she would take her role as chief justice seriously and would work to convince the Legislature and governor to put more money into the judiciary to keep the courts running well.
"In the days ahead, I ask you all, please help me communicate the lesson and the promise of our constitution especially the message that the judiciary must be adequately funded so we can fulfill that constitutional commitment," she said.
Gildea also said she would work to prevent politics from influencing judicial elections. Thomas was on hand because Stras was a clerk for him at the U.S. Supreme Court.
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