ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending three candidates to Gov. Tim Walz for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
The three candidates are Michael Leeser, Mara Rausch, and Greta Smolnisky.
Leeser is an assistant county attorney in Clay County. He is also a member of the Clay County Drug Court and Clay County Veteran’s Court teams. Leeser has experience as a lawyer in both the private and public sector. He serves as Vice President of the Clay County Bar Association and as a board member of the City of Moorhead Economic Development Authority.
Rausch is the Managing Attorney of the Seventh Judicial District Public Defender’s Office in Moorhead where she supervises attorneys and staff in Becker and Clay counties, and represents clients in adult criminal proceedings. Rausch has also practiced law in the private sector. Her community involvement includes serving on the organizing committee for the Becker County DWI Court.
Smolnisky is a district court referee in the Seventh Judicial District, where she handles the family court calendar. She was previously an assistant public defender in the Seventh and Eighth Judicial Districts, and an attorney with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Smolnisky also spent time in private practice. Her community involvement includes serving as a trainer for the State Public Defender Sentencing Advocacy Program and as a volunteer judge for the Minnesota State Bar Association Mock Trial competition.
The vacancy occurred upon the retirement of the Honorable Jay D. Carlson. The seat will be chambered in Moorhead in Clay County.
Mike Leeser
Mara Rausch
Greta Smolnisky
