Mpls. Rep. Thissen among Minnesota Supreme Court finalists

A state panel is recommending Gov. Mark Dayton pick among four candidates to fill an open Minnesota Supreme Court seat. Finalists include Minneapolis DFL Rep. Paul Thissen, who is leaving the Legislature this year after a failed run for governor.

Also named as finalists by the Commission on Judicial Selection: ex-Minnesota Department of Human Services commissioner and current appellate court judge Lucinda Jesson, Ramsey County Judge Jeffrey Bryan and Judge Bradford Delapena, who serves as chief judge of the Minnesota Tax Court.

Interviews are expected over the next few weeks. This will be Dayton's sixth appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The person selected by Dayton will replace Judge David R. Stras, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in late January to sit on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.