ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Tori Stewart as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District. Stewart will replace the Honorable Kevin F. Mark and will be chambered in Red Wing in Goodhue County.

“I am proud to appoint Tori Stewart to the First Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Her significant courtroom experience and extensive criminal law background will make her an asset to the bench for years to come.”

“As the first woman to sit on the Goodhue County bench, Tori Stewart will bring a valued perspective to this important role,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am confident that her impressive legal background and deep commitment to justice will serve the community well.”

Minnesota’s First Judicial District consists of Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley Counties.

Tori Stewart is an assistant county attorney in Dakota County, where she prosecutes?felony-level crimes including murder, assault, criminal sexual conduct, child physical abuse, criminal vehicular operation, and domestic-related offenses. She was previously an assistant county attorney in Rice County, where she prosecuted all levels of criminal offenses, and an associate attorney at Hughes & Costello.?Her community involvement has included serving on the Minnesota DWI Task Force;?the Dakota County Attorney’s Office Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Alliance; the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Impaired Driving Educational Alliance; and the Minnesota State Bar Association Public Law Section’s Executive Council. She has also volunteered as a mock trial judge with the?Minnesota High School Mock Trial?Program. Stewart earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.