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St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

3 justices seek post as Minn. Supreme Court chief

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty has scheduled a Thursday news conference to name new judges after disclosing he has three finalists to be the next Minnesota Supreme Court chief justice.

Pawlenty said Wednesday he is choosing among Associate Justices G. Barry Anderson, Christopher Dietzen and Lori Gildea. His office refused to say whether Thursday's judicial appointments would include a new chief justice; several district court judgeships are due to be filled soon as well.

Chief Justice Eric Magnuson intends to retire June 30. All three finalists were appointed previously to the high court by Pawlenty, a Republican.

In Minnesota, a governor's pick isn't subject to legislative confirmation. But justices periodically must face voters.

By choosing a current justice, Pawlenty will also get to pick a new justice for the seven-member court. The three justices under consideration for the chief position were the minority in a 4-3 ruling last week against Pawlenty's unilateral budget cuts.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is expected to rule Thursday on a judicial candidate's request that Magnuson's successor be decided by voters. By retiring when he did, Magnuson avoided having to run for another six-year term.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)