For high court, Pawlenty picks a friend

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Tuesday named appeals court Judge Christopher Dietzen, a former campaign lawyer and longtime acquaintance, to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

"He's studious, he's smart, he's also kind-hearted," Pawlenty said. "I think he is a person of great intelligence ... integrity."

Dietzen worked as a lawyer on Pawlenty's 2002 campaign and played a key role in defending Pawlenty in a controversy over a political TV ad during that race. He also has been a regular contributor to Republican campaigns, including Pawlenty's in 2002, and to the Freedom Club political action committee, which backs conservative candidates.

Before becoming a judge, Dietzen was a partner and litigator in the Bloomington law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly and Lindgren, specializing in real estate, environmental law, land use, and zoning and government agencies and programs.

Appearing in the governor's reception room, Dietzen pledged that as a supreme court justice he would "listen carefully, consider the arguments of the parties. ... I will apply the rule of law in a fair and impartial way."

State Supreme Court justices are not confirmed by the Legislature, but they must stand for election. Because Dietzen will be sworn-in less than a year before the next general election, under state law he won't have to run until 2010.

Dietzen, 60, of Bloomington, will replace Justice Sam Hanson, who is stepping down at year's end to rejoin his former law firm.

Dietzen said he approached the Pawlenty administration about three weeks ago to express interest in the Supreme Court job.

In making his selection, Pawlenty didn't consult with a special screening committee, saying he already knew the possible candidates from earlier screenings for judicial vacancies.

As for his associations with Dietzen over the years, the governor said candidates "shouldn't get any additional consideration because of that, but they also shouldn't be penalized because of that."

Dietzen helped out Pawlenty after Democrats accused his campaign of improperly colluding with the state Republican Party on an ad. Pawlenty's campaign eventually paid a $100,000 fine and was penalized another $500,000 off its spending limit.

"It gave me a chance to see his skills up close," Pawlenty said at a news conference three years ago when he announced Dietzen's appointment to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Dietzen contributed $625 to Pawlenty's 2002 campaign, and his wife, Peggy, gave another $525 as part of nearly $5,000 that the family has contributed to Republican candidates in state races over the years..

Dietzen, asked about his philosophy as a judge, spoke out against partisan affiliations for judges. "So far we have been able to keep partisan politics out of judicial elections," he said. "It would be a travesty to inject partisan politics into judicial elections."

State Supreme Court judges serve six-year terms. The high court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals, Workers Compensation Court of Appeals and the Tax Court. It reviews all first-degree murder convictions and legislative election disputes.

District judges appointed

Earlier Tuesday, Pawlenty also named four people to district court judgeships.

Among them was Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield, who was named to the bench in Rice County. Neuville was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, and his departure could create a tight upcoming race in his former district. Pawlenty will call a special election to fill the seat.

Pawlenty also picked prosecutor Janet Barke Cain for a new judicial slot in Carver County, private attorney Tim Wermager for a new position in Dakota County, and private attorney Jerome Abrams for a judgeship in Scott County.

Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210

Pat Doyle • pdoyle@startribune.com