Michelle MacDonald, who is considered a "person of interest" by police in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, was not one of the three candidates recommended for an opening in the Minnesota Supreme Court by the Commission on Judicial Selection.
Governor Mark Dayton said he plans on selecting a new Surpeme Court justice in mid-August. Dayton is not required to pick one of the candidates recommened by the Commission on Judical Selection.
In response to a request for comment, MacDonald touted her "success" in last year's election as a potential reason Dayton could still appoint her to the Minnesota Supreme Court. MacDonald added she does plan on another run for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2016.
MacDonald, the 2014 Republican endorsed candidate for the Minnesota Supreme Court, applied in April for a vacancy on the Minnesota Supreme Court created by the upcoming retirement of Associate Justice Alan C. Page.
Last November, MacDonald lost to incumbent Justice David Lillehaug by just 7 points - 53 percent to 46 percent. MacDonald received the highest vote percentage of any Republican statewide candidate for office on Election Day in 2014.
During her campaign for the Minnesota Supreme Court, MacDonald was found not guilty of drunk driving, but was found guilty of refusing to submit to breath testing, speeding, and obstructing the legal process, stemming from a traffic stop in 2013.
MacDonald is the attorney for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, the mother of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, who both disappeared on April 19, 2013 when they ran away from their home in Lakeville. Police in Lakeville want to speak with Grazzini-Rucki, MacDonald, and two additional people about the missing sisters.
Samantha and Gianna's father, David Rucki, was awarded custody of all five of his children in November 2013.
Picture source: Michelle MacDonald
