WASHINGTON -- Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken recommended on Friday to President Barack Obama that Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright be nominated to be a federal judge in Minnesota.
Wright came up through the ranks as a federal prosecutor and trial judge in Ramsey County. If nominated by Obama, she would still need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Both Klobuchar and Franken are on the Judiciary Committee, which would be her first stop.
"She's the total package -- her breadth of experience, deep legal knowledge and strong character make her highly qualified for the position," said Klobuchar, a former prosecutor herself, in a statement.
Before joining the bench, Wright was an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, where she represented the United States in complex economic fraud cases and violent crime cases. During her time as a federal prosecutor, she received the United States Department of Justice Director's Award and the United States Department of Justice Special Achievement Award.
Before joining the U.S. attorney's office, Wright practiced with Hogan & Hartson, LLP in Washington. She received her bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1986 and her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1989.
Gov. Mark Dayton said he appointed Wright to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2012 and "am greatly impressed with her character." Should Wright leave the Supreme Court, Dayton would get to make another appointment.
If nominated by Obama, Wright would take the seat now held by Chief Judge Michael J. Davis, who will retire from active service on August 1. Her nomination would have to be approved by the U.S. Senate.
