6 nominees advance for North Dakota Supreme Court vacancy

1 hour ago

KVRR Staff,

Ndsupremecourt Dec 18 2023 045 — North Dakota Supreme Court Justices, from left, Douglas Bahr, Daniel Crothers, Jon Jensen, Lisa Fair McEvers and Jerod Tufte hear arguments Dec. 18, 2023, in a case involving Summit Carbon Solutions and landowners. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A committee has forwarded six candidates to Gov. Kelly Armstrong to be the next justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

The court seeks a replacement for Justice Daniel Crothers, who announced late last year his plans to retire in February after 20 years on the bench.

The six contenders are:

Philip Axt, a Bismarck resident and solicitor general for the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office

Mark Friese, a Fargo defense attorney
Michael Hurly, a judge for Northeast Judicial District in Rugby
Ryan Norrell, a Bismarck attorney who served as counsel to former Gov. Doug Burgum
Jacob Rodenbiker, an assistant U.S. attorney who lives in Fargo
Kirsten Sjue, a judge for the Northwest Judicial District in Williston

Armstrong, a Republican, can appoint someone from the pool of six, ask the committee for more nominees or refer the matter to the election ballot for a public vote.

The committee could have forwarded up to seven names. A total of 12 candidates applied.

The voting members of the nominating committee are Justice Jerod Tufte, Eric Lahlum, Taylor Olson, Laura Mihalick, Paul Forster and Garth Rydland.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com.