This will be Pawlenty's 4th appointment to the state's high court. He will have shaped the court as much as, if not more than, most modern governors. Gov. Arne Carlson appointed six justices including Russell Anderson. Perpich appointed five. I just talked to my favorite gubernatorial historian and father, Gene Lahammer, who said for governors court appointments are a "rare treat, some have feasted more than others."
CHIEF JUSTICE RUSSELL ANDERSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM HIGH COURT
For Immediate Release
ST. PAUL, MINN. (March 10, 2008) - Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell A. Anderson today announced his retirement from the state's highest court, effective June 1, 2008.
"My wife's health concerns and my age prompt me to retire at this time," Anderson said in his letter of retirement to Governor Tim Pawlenty. "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Minnesota over the the last 25 years, first as a district court judge from 1982 to 1998, and as a member of the Supreme Court from 1998 until the present time. And I am sincerely grateful for the honor of serving as Chief Justice during my final years on the Court."
Anderson's tenure in public service began when he was elected Beltrami County Attorney in 1978, a position he held until 1982 when he was appointed to the district court bench by Governor Al Quie. After serving 16 years on the trial court bench chambered in Crookston, Anderson was appointed an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court in 1998 by Governor Arne Carlson.
As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, Anderson worked closely with then Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz on completing the restructuring of the trial and appellate courts into a single, state-funded third branch of Minnesota government governed by a newly created Minnesota Judicial Council.
In January of 2006 Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Anderson Chief Justice. As Chief Justice, Anderson continued the development of the Judicial Council, serving as its chair. "I am extremely proud of the work of the Judicial Council. From its inception it has worked to ensure that every Minnesotan has equal access to justice. It has strived to develop forward-thinking budgeting and strategic planning practices. With nearly 3,000 employees and 100 courthouses and hearing facilities, it is critical that resources provided to the courts be used in the most effective and efficient ways possible, and the Judicial Council has been working hard to fulfill that commitment."