Saint Paul, MN - The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending three candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancy created upon Judge David Minge's upcoming retirement from the Second Congressional District seat on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Ann Anaya-Ms. Anaya currently works as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. She is assigned to the Criminal Division where she prosecutes complex criminal matters in the economic crimes and major crimes sections. Ms. Anaya previously served as an Assistant Ramsey County Attorney and as an Assistant First Judicial District Public Defender. She is co-chair of the Federal Bar Association's Diversity Committee and is an instructor with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights conference.

Judge Karen Asphaug-Judge Asphaug has served as a District Court Judge in the First Judicial District since 1995. For one year, she served as a Criminal Judge at the District Court of Pristina in Kosovo. Previously, Judge Asphaug worked as an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. She is a judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court Appeals panel, and she also worked as a member of the Board of Directors for Hastings Family Services.

Judge Carol Hooten-Judge Hooten has served as a District Court Judge in the First Judicial District since 2002. Previously, she worked for two private law firms before starting her own firm, in which she represented clients in civil matters and worked as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Judge Hooten has served as Chair of the Children's Justice Initiative for Scott County and has participated in various youth activities, including the Eagan Athletic Association and mentoring programs.

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