Politics Friday

Politics Friday: Changes are ahead on the Minnesota Supreme Court as one justice steps into retirement

A man stands for a portrait
Retiring Minnesota Supreme Court justice G. Barry Anderson poses for a photo inside the Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul on Monday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

After nearly 20 years on Minnesota’s Supreme Court, Justice G. Barry Anderson is retiring.

Anderson is the longest-tenured current justice and the last to have gained his seat through the appointment of a Republican governor.

MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Anderson about his time in the Minnesota Supreme Court, his career in the courtroom and his view on political pressures on the judiciary.

A man shakes hands with a woman
Retiring Minnesota Supreme Court justice G. Barry Anderson (left) congratulates newly-announced justice appointee Sarah Hennesy at the State Capitol on Monday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Later, a look at how the nation’s finances will factor into the 2024 election campaign with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell.

We also heard some sounds and voices from the Capitol this week, and some insight from members of our MPR News politics team.

Guests:  

  • Justice G. Barry Anderson is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. His term will end on May 10.  

  • Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and economic programs. He’s also senior economics contributor at Minnesota Public Radio.

  • Ethan Struby is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Carleton College.  

  • Chris Towner is the policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington, D.C.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.