Saint Paul, MN - The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending three candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the Seventh Congressional District seat vacancy that will occur on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. This vacancy will occur when The Honorable Roger M. Klaphake reaches mandatory retirement under state law this summer.

Heidi Davies - Ms. Davies currently serves as the Chief Assistant Clay County Attorney where she prosecutes various criminal cases including drugs, assaults and weapons cases. Prior to working with the Clay County Attorney's Office, she served as an Administrative Hearing Officer with the North Dakota Department of Transportation and as a judicial law clerk for Minnesota's Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts. Ms. Davies also worked as a City Prosecutor for the Solberg Law Firm. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Red River Children's Advocacy Center and is on the administrative board for the Clay County Collaborative.

Judge Michael Kirk - Judge Kirk has served as a Seventh Judicial District Court judge since 1989 when he was appointed by Governor Perpich. During this time, he has served as both Chief Judge and Assistant Chief Judge and he currently chairs the district's structural committee. Prior to his appointment, Judge Kirk was the Otter Tail County Attorney and maintained a private law practice with Williams, Nelson and Nitz Law Firm. Judge Kirk is a member of Fraser Ltd's Board of Directors and is a former youth hockey and football coach.

Judge Randall Slieter - Judge Slieter has served as an Eighth Judicial District Court judge since 1994 when he was appointed by Governor Carlson. During this time, he has served as a member of the CrimNet Criminal and Juvenile Justice Task Force and has chaired the Supreme Court's New Technologies Subcommittee. Judge Slieter is also an Adjunct Professor teaching at William Mitchell College of Law and Minnesota State Mankato. Before serving as a judge, Judge Slieter was a partner in a general practice firm where he handled a variety of civil matters. He is a past member and chair of the Board of Directors for Southwestern Technical College.

An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.