[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, the Commission on Judicial Selection announced two vacancies in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. One of the vacancies occurred upon the elevation of the Honorable Sarah E. Hennesy to the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the other vacancy will occur upon the resignation of the Honorable Greta M. Smolnisky. These seats will be chambered in St. Cloud in Stearns County and Moorhead in Clay County.

The application process is now open for these vacancies. The commission is searching for fair, experienced, and civic-minded individuals to serve on the bench and offer their talents and services to Minnesota’s judicial system. Per statute, the commission will consider the following qualifications for judicial office: integrity, maturity, health (if job related), judicial temperament, legal knowledge, ability, experience, and community service. The commission is seeking applicants who reflect Minnesota’s full diversity.

Individuals wishing to apply may request an application by contacting the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor via e-mail at Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us. Application materials are due by 4:00 pm on June 5, 2024 and should be addressed to the chair of the commission, Erin Sindberg Porter. The commission expects to hold interviews in late June.

The judges of the Seventh Judicial District have offered to provide informational interviews to prospective applicants. To request more information or for other inquiries about the application process, please contact the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor at Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us.

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.