Dayton Considers 4 For 1st High Court Appointment

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is considering a former U.S. attorney and three judges for his first appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Dayton's office said Friday that he will interview Judges Tanya Bransford, Margaret Chutich and Wilhelmina Wright and former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug after they were recommended by a judicial selection panel.

The Democratic governor will fill a vacancy created by Justice Helen Meyer's retirement from the seven-member court. Her retirement leaves Chief Justice Lorie Gildea as the only woman on the high court.

Bransford is a Hennepin County judge. Chutich and Wright are judges on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Lillehaug served as Dayton's special counsel during last year's state government shutdown and represented Dayton in the recount of his 2010 election.

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