ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Stephen J. Wentzell as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District. Mr. Wentzell will replace the Honorable Donald M. Spilseth, and will be chambered at Willmar in Kandiyohi County.

“Stephen Wentzell has demonstrated his deep commitment to public service through his professional work and community involvement in Willmar,” said Governor Dayton. “I congratulate him upon this opportunity to continue that service as a District Court Judge in Kandiyohi County.”

Mr. Wentzell is the First Assistant Kandiyohi County Attorney, where he assists in the supervision of the office, provides legal advice to county departments, and maintains a criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment caseload. Previously, he was an Assistant Kandiyohi County Attorney and a law clerk for the Honorable David L. Mennis in the Eighth Judicial District. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and Organizational Communications from Concordia College, Moorhead and a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Mr. Wentzell is a member of the Willmar Rotary Club, a volunteer youth hockey coach, a member and past President of West Central Ducks Unlimited, and a member of several interagency committees.

Minnesota’s Eight Judicial District consists of Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkins, and Yellow Medicine Counties. 

More information on the Commission on Judicial Selection, as well as vacancies it is currently considering, can be found here.

For a headshot of Mr. Wentzel, click here.