Lorie Skjerven Gildea

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Born: Oct. 6, 1961; raised in Plummer, Minn.

Education:

• Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1986
• University of Minnesota Morris, B.A., 1983

• Minnesota Supreme Court, associate justice, 2006-present
• Minnesota 4th Judicial District, judge, 2005-06
• Hennepin County Attorney's Office, assistant county attorney, 2004-05
• University of Minnesota Office of the General Counsel, attorney, 1993-2004
• Arent Fox, attorney, 1986-93

• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

• Central Lutheran Church
• National Reining Horse Association
• Twin Cities Dunkers

Hobbies/Interests: Minnesota Gophers women's sports, showing horses

Family: Husband, Andrew

Website: www.justiceloriegildea.com

Why did you opt to become a judge?
I want to continue serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court because I love the law. I can think of no better way to honor the state that has given so much to me than by continuing to serve my state's people on their highest court pursuing work that I do well and enjoy. I am committed to preserving equal justice under the law, the rule of law in guiding our society and the guarantees of liberty, safety and democracy in Minnesota. I seek to continue this work both because it is crucial and because I am good at it.

Why should voters select you rather than your opponent?
In Minnesota, when something works, we keep it. Since my appointment almost three years ago, I have helped the court decide over 200 cases and I have authored dozens of opinions. I work very well on the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the people should keep me there. Because of my good work on the court and my diverse experience as a trial and appellate attorney, as a prosecutor and as a trial court judge, I have received endorsements from leaders in Minnesota's legal and academic communities. For a complete listing of my public supporters, please go to www.justiceloriegildea.com.

What have been some of your accomplishments during your time on the bench?
I take great pride in the opinions I have authored for the court. As Minnesota's highest court, our opinions must stand the test of time; they must be clear, logical and readable. I believe that my work meets all of those tests. I also work very hard to prepare for oral argument so that the limited time attorneys have is meaningful for them and for the court. Separate from my work on opinions and with the court in deciding the cases that come before us, I am pleased to serve as chair of the judiciary's Gender Fairness Implementation Committee.

What are the major issues facing the court on which you sit?
The judicial branch of government is facing a serious budgetary predicament. One of our partners in the administration of justice - the public defender system - is confronting a budgetary crisis. Because of budgetary setbacks to the courts and the public defenders, every aspect of the effective and efficient operation of our judiciary is at risk.

How can these issues realistically be addressed?
Recent surveys show that Minnesota's courts have the trust and confidence of the people. We have to work to maintain that trust as we all do more with less. The judiciary has as a priority the strengthening of the public's education regarding the core government function of the courts in a democratic society. This judicial outreach is critical to our ability to engage a broader constituency to partner with the judiciary and our friends in the bar in the legislative process so that budget reversals we have suffered in the last few legislative sessions may be remedied.

What role, if any, should politics play in judicial campaigns? (for example, party endorsements, discussions of political views, etc...)
None. Minnesota will become a different place if we start picking judges according to political nominations. The people of Minnesota have always trusted that their cases would be decided by unbiased judges who were chosen for their integrity, scholarship and accomplishments. We must ensure that this trust and confidence continues. Judicial decisions must grow from the facts and the law, not from party platforms and politically grounded promises.

What else would you like voters to know about your candidacy?
When I was sworn in as Minnesota's 87th associate justice, I made a commitment to the people of Minnesota that I would, as [Alexander] Hamilton foretold, exercise my judgment, not impose my will, and that I would do my best to honor the law because, as [Daniel] Webster said, the law has honored us. I renew those commitments. The court is a place for serious people who are qualified and prepared to do the challenging intellectual work I have been doing for almost three years. My record shows that I am the best candidate in this race to continue this heavy lifting.