Kelley Malone O'Neill of Woodbury, a longtime Ramsey County public defender who is now a manager, has become the first candidate to announce a bid for the Washington County judgeship being vacated by the retiring Thomas Armstrong.
Malone O'Neill must collect at least 500 signatures on a petition to support her candidacy by Thursday.
Malone O'Neill, 48, who is experienced in juvenile and criminal cases, was a previous finalist for a judgeship appointment in Washington County.
She and her husband, Pat O'Neill, a St. Paul lawyer, have two children.
JIM ANDERSON
