Obama Taps Minnesota Justice Wright For Federal Judgeship

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's newest nominee for a federal judgeship would be moving over from the state's Supreme Court.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday selected Justice Wilhelmina Wright for a U.S. District Court opening in Minnesota. That appointment is subject to U.S. Senate confirmation.

Wright has been on Minnesota's highest court since Gov. Mark Dayton appointed her in 2012. Before that she was on the state Court of Appeals and a federal prosecutor for a time.

Her departure would give Dayton two vacancies to fill on the seven-member Supreme Court because Justice Alan Page is approaching mandatory retirement this summer.

A court spokesman says the expectation is that Wright plans to serve on Minnesota's high court "unless or until" she is confirmed by the Senate for the federal post.

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