Panel allows judge on Supreme Court ballot

by Elizabeth Stawicki, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — A special judicial panel has denied an attempt to disqualify state Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea from the ballot.

The panel ruled within a few hours after hearing arguments at the state judicial center. It gave no explanation for its decision but promised to provide one at a later date.

It's a practice the court has followed in the past when the issue concerns an upcoming election. The primary is only two weeks away on September 9. The state constitution says Minnesota elects its judges. But when a seat opens before a judge's term ends, the governor appoints the replacement.

Attorney Jill Clark maintained those replacements are only temporary and the person appointed must step aside at the end of the term to allow for an open election. The panel disagreed.