Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Captain Ross Leuning, USN as District Court Judge in Minnesota's Third Judicial District. Captain Leuning will be replacing The Honorable John A. Chesterman after his retirement; he expects to return from Iraq and be sworn-in in July, 2011.

Captain Leuning is currently the Command Judge Advocate for the United States Navy, serving at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

Because Captain Leuning is currently stationed in Iraq, Governor Dayton interviewed him via Skype.

About the appointment, Governor Dayton said, "I am proud that Captain Ross Leuning is my first judicial appointment, as he exemplifies the outstanding caliber of person I will seek for these important positions. Captain Leuning is presently serving our country and the cause of freedom in Iraq, where his military judicial experience further qualifies him for assuming those responsibilities on the Third District Court."

In addition to his service in the United States Navy, Captain Leuning is a Senior Assistant Olmsted County Attorney. Previously, he was a partner at the law firm of Walbran, Furness and Leuning. Captain Leuning is licensed to practice law in the states of Minnesota and Oregon, Minnesota Federal District Court, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and is certified as a General Court-Martial Judge for the Navy and Marine Corps. He earned his BS from the University of South Dakota in 1983, and his JD from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1986.

Captain Leuning resides with his family in Owatonna. The Third Judicial District serves Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona Counties.

This is Governor Dayton's first judicial appointment. More information on Governor Dayton's Judicial Selection Committee, as well as the vacancies it is currently considering, can be found at http://mn.gov/governor/appointments/judicial.jsp

Attached: /governor/assets/Bio-CAPT-LEUNING.pdf_tcm1055-93151.pdfBiography of Captain Leuning; /governor/assets/leuning-headshot_tcm1055-115433.jpgheadshot of Captain Leuning; /governor/assets/dayton-leuning-skype.jpg_tcm1055-91418.JPGphoto of Governor Dayton interviewing Captain Leuning via Skype.