Dayton Aims To Fill Supreme Court Vacancy In Mid-August

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton says he plans to choose the next Supreme Court justice in mid-August.

The Democratic governor's pick will replace retiring Justice Alan Page. Page is leaving the bench later this month after hitting the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Dayton said Tuesday he'll begin the interview process next week and hopes to make a selection the week of Aug. 17.

The Commission on Judicial Selection forwarded three candidates to the governor earlier this week but Dayton isn't required to pick one of them. Appeals Court Judges Margaret Chutich and Natalie Hudson and Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal made the list.

It will be Dayton's third pick for the state's highest court and he may get a fourth. Justice Wilhelmina Wright is awaiting confirmation to a federal judgeship.

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