WASHINGTON - Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., on Thursday announced the formation of an advisory committee to help her recommend Minnesota's next U.S. attorney.

Traditionally, the senior senator of the party controlling the White House recommends a nominee for the highest-ranking federal law enforcement official in their state. The recommendation is considered by the president, who makes an appointment, subject to Senate approval.

Regardless of who emerges as the winner in the ongoing contest over Minnesota's other Senate seat, the task will remain with Klobuchar, as she will still be the state's senior Democratic senator.

The advisory committee will be headed by Lucinda Jesson, a Hamline University law professor who formerly managed the senator's political action committee, and will include five other well-known attorneys and law enforcement officials: former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger, who until recently was helping Republican Norm Coleman in the Senate recount battle; Tim O'Malley, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson; Edward Toussaint Jr., chief judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson.

Klobuchar said Minnesota has a long tradition of outstanding U.S. attorneys, including the current acting attorney, Frank Magill. "I have no doubt that, with this committee's help, we will find an outstanding Minnesotan for this important law enforcement post," she said.

Magill will stay on until a successor is named and confirmed.

MITCH ANDERSON