ST. PAUL, MN - The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced a vacancy in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. The vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Todd W. Westphal.?The seat will be chambered in St. Peter in Nicollet County.

The application process is now open for this vacancy. 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 [email protected] . Application materials are due by 4:00 pm on December 11 and should be addressed to the chair of the commission, Erin Sindberg Porter . The commission is currently reviewing applications for an additional vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District related to the retirement of the Honorable Terry S. Vajgrt. Applicants who applied for that vacancy will be considered for this opening and do not need to submit a new application. ?The commission expects to hold interviews for these vacancies in mid-December.

The judges of the Fifth 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 [email protected].

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