Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends Three Ninth Judicial District Candidates to Gov. Dayton

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced April 21 it is recommending three candidates to Gov. Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancy in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. This vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Jon A. Maturi, and will be chambered at Grand Rapids in Itasca County. The following candidates include:

James Austad — Mr. Austad is the Lake of Woods county attorney, where he is responsible for prosecuting crimes and representing the county in civil court and administrative proceedings. Previously, he was an assistant Itasca County attorney, assistant public defender in the Minnesota Public Defender’s Office, and a solo practitioner at Austad Law Office. Mr. Austad serves on the Lake of the Woods Prevention Coalition and Crimes Against Children Task Force, and previously served on the Grace House Board of Directors.

Photo: Lakeland News / File

Heidi Chandler — Ms. Chandler is an assistant Itasca County attorney, where she prosecutes adult criminal cases including felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors. Previously, she was an associate attorney at Undem Law Office and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable John R. Hawkinson in the Ninth Judicial District. Ms. Chandler is the Chair of the St. Joseph’s School Board and the past president of the Itasca County Bar Association and the Minnesota Business & Professional Women Grand Rapids Chapter.

Sarah McBroom — Ms. McBroom is a staff attorney at Legal Aid Service of Northeast Minnesota, where she provides legal representation in the areas of family, housing, expungements, and benefits. Previously, she was a judicial law clerk to Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul H. Anderson. Ms. McBroom is a member of the Housing Issues Advisory Committee and Circles of Healing, and serves on the Board of Directors for Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and KOOTASCA Community Action.

Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District consists of Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau Counties.

An announcement of appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.