A legislative committee on Friday began the process of selecting candidates for four openings on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents.
The Regent Candidate Advisory Council recommended 12 candidates — including two incumbents — to a joint legislative commission, which will make final suggestions that are sent to the full Legislature for consideration.
In the past, state lawmakers have frequently bypassed the list and picked candidates who were not vetted through the selection process.
Candidates recommended for the First Congressional District seat include Regent Randy Simonson, Val Aarsvold of Altura and Ruth Johnson of Rochester.
Daryl Alkire, Karen Schanfield and U senior James Farnsworth, all from St. Paul, were nominated for the Fourth District seat.
Regent Michael Hsu, Dave Hoang of Blaine and Kodi Verhalen of Elk River were named for the Sixth District opening.
Seventh District candidates include Doug Huebsch of Perham, Lucas Sjostrom of Brooten and Michael Yost of Murdock.
Regents Richard Beeson and Thomas Anderson, from the Fourth and Seventh Districts, respectively, did not apply for another term. Twenty candidates had been interviewed for the four seats.