Minnesota will have open federal judgeship to fill

President Barack Obama will get the chance to appoint a new federal judge for Minnesota.

The chief U.S. district judge for Minnesota, Michael Davis, informed the president Monday he plans to take senior status in August. He'll remain a federal judge, but won't have to carry a full caseload.

That creates an opening for Obama. Presidents typically listen to the senators from a state before making judicial nominations because the Senate has to confirm them.

So Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken have formed a selection committee to assist them in making a recommendation. It's being co-chaired by former U.S. Attorney Thomas Heffelfinger and private attorney R. Ann Huntrods.

President Bill Clinton nominated Davis in 1993 to become Minnesota's first black federal judge. He's been chief judge since 2008.