ROCHESTER - As the state Republican Party convened on Friday, its committee on judicial elections presented a report on the topic but made no recommendations about endorsements.
Judicial elections are a hot topic this year, particularly with two Minnesota Supreme Court justices on the ballot: Paul Anderson and Lorie Gildea. While the Republican Party has been split about the value and propriety of endorsements, the state's DFL Party has generally opposed endorsing judicial candidates, suggesting it politicizes the process.
"When you've got judges legislating from the bench this becomes even more important," said state Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, one of the co-chairs of the convention.
Throughout the day, former Gov. Al Quie made the rounds among the faithful as an opponent of politicized judicial elections and made his views clear.
GOP state chairman Ron Carey said the party wants to move forward with judicial endorsements but needs to make sure it has strong candidates and an appropriate reason to run against a sitting judge.
The committee has been looking into the backgrounds and decisions of judicial candidates but has been meeting for only about 11/2 months. Carey said it is possible the committee may present findings before November elections.
MARK BRUNSWICK
