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Bostrack, a longtime county attorney, beat out former Senior Olmsted County Attorney Lisa Swenson and Rochester civil trial lawyer Daniel Heuel for the seat left vacant by Judge Margaret Shaw Johnson, who retired May 13.
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Gov. Tim Pawlenty, left, appoints Nancy Bostrack to be Winona’s newest judge Tuesday at the Winona Court House following the retirement of Margaret Shaw Johnson. (photo by Kevin Behr/Winona Daily News) |
A standing-room only crowd of friends, family and co-workers crammed into Johnson’s old courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse to hear the announcement. Pawlenty entered the courtroom with a beaming Bostrack close behind.
Pawlenty first thanked Johnson for her 21 years as a judge in Minnesota before making the official announcement. He said Bostrack is “highly respected” in her profession for her skills and abilities and in the community for her character and values.
“She will be a fantastic judge,” he said.
Bostrack is now one of three district court judges who hear criminal and civil cases mostly in Winona County.
She was all smiles as she shook the governor’s hand and thanked those in attendance.
“I’m really thrilled,” she said. “I feel at home in the courtroom, and I’m excited about the new challenge.”
Pawlenty said all three candidates recommended to him by the state Commission on Judicial Selection were all good and he couldn’t “goof up” his selection, but Bostrack’s legal strengths and demeanor stood out. He praised her legal skills and involvement in the community as qualities that will give her wisdom and perspective in her new job.
Her predecessor agreed. “I’m delighted,” Johnson said. “I think she’ll be a great judge.”
The sitting judges felt the same way. The governor made “a good choice,” said Judge Jeff Thompson, who added he’s pleased to have Bostrack on the bench. Judge Mary Leahy praised Bostrack’s experience around the courtroom and her personality outside it.
“She knows how to step back and have a good laugh,” Leahy said.
“I’m very, very proud of Nancy and extremely happy for her,” her husband, Paul Bostrack, said as he tried to corral their 5-year-old twin sons Jacob and Zachary. “She’s ready to do a good job, I’m sure.”
Nancy Bostrack won’t begin hearing cases for perhaps several weeks, Judicial Appointments Coordinator John Hultquist said. A typical judge takes weeks to get prepared and trained for the new job.
In the meantime, Johnson will continue hearing a few cases as a retired judge. Wabasha County Judge Terrence Walters and retired Judge Dennis Challeen will also lend their services to Winona County in the interim.
When Bostrack takes the bench, her seat will be guaranteed to her through November 2010, when she faces her first election.
Contact Kevin Behr at (507) 453-3524 or kbehr@winonadailynews.com.
mrbig wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:39 AM: