Minnesota Supreme Court elections, 2020
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Incumbent Paul Thissen defeated Michelle L. MacDonald in a nonpartisan general election for the Minnesota Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
As of October 2020, five judges on the court were appointed by a Democratic governor and two judges were appointed by a Republican governor. Thissen's win maintained the court's existing 5-2 liberal majority.
Although the race was officially nonpartisan, Thissen was a member of the court's liberal majority and received support from liberal groups. He was appointed by former Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in 2018. Thissen also worked as a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2002-2018.
Before the 2020 election, MacDonald ran for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014, 2016, and 2018. The Minnesota Republican Party endorsed her 2014 campaign.[1]
Election procedure changes in 2020
Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.
Minnesota modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: The absentee/mail-in ballot postmark deadline was extended to November 3, 2020; the receipt deadline was extended to November 10, 2020. The witness requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots was suspended.
- Candidate filing procedures: General election candidates were allowed to submit filing forms and petitions electronically.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Candidates and results
Thissen's seat
General election
General election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 4
Incumbent Paul Thissen defeated Michelle L. MacDonald in the general election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Paul Thissen (Nonpartisan) | 59.0 | 1,477,672 |
 | Michelle L. MacDonald (Nonpartisan) | 40.6 | 1,016,245 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 8,559 | ||
| Total votes: 2,502,476 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[2] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
- Minnesota Supreme Court (Assumed office: 2018)
- Minnesota House of Representatives (2002-2018)
Biography: Thissen earned his A.B. from Harvard University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago. His professional experience included working in private practice with Briggs and Morgan, as a lawyer in the Minnesota Public Defender's Office, and as a law clerk to James B. Loken on the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 4 in 2020.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: MacDonald received her B.A. in communications and English from Boston College and her J.D. from Suffolk University. She also completed the Instruction for Lawyers program at Harvard Law School. At the time of the 2020 election, MacDonald was an attorney in private practice with the MacDonald Law Firm, LLC. She also served as a judge of the Conciliation Court (or small claims court) in Hennepin County from 1999 to 2014 and as an adjunct referee of the family court from 1992 to 2012.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 4 in 2020.
Debates and forums
October candidate forum
On October 12, 2020, Thissen and MacDonald participated in a candidate forum hosted by The League of Women Voters of Golden Valley (LWVGV) and co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA).
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Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
The following campaign themes came from the candidates' campaign websites, where available.
Paul Thissen
Thissen's campaign website said the following:
| “ |
I am so honored to serve you as a Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. And I humbly ask for your support to continue to work on your behalf. I have a long and deep commitment to public service to our state. I’ve learned through that work that Minnesotans value fairness, accountability, individual dignity, and the chance to have their voices heard. And I worked hard as a lawyer representing clients in complex lawsuits, as a public defender, as a State Representative and Speaker of the Minnesota House, and now as a Supreme Court Justice to promote and defend those values. My career has given me the chance to travel tens of thousands of miles to all corners of the state, visiting businesses, prisons, hospitals, homeless shelters, colleges and courthouses. I’ve worked with people in their neighborhoods and communities as they tackle local challenges. Most important, I have listened closely to, and been inspired by, Minnesotans’ stories, aspirations and concerns. Those experiences were wonderful preparation for sustaining and renewing a justice system that is responsive and truly sees the people behind the lawsuits. This is a critical time for our courts. Across our country, the rule of law and the idea that our courts should serve the interests of all the people is under attack. I am committed to do everything in my power to build and maintain public trust that justice in Minnesota is delivered fairly and impartially according to the law. That said, I know that our justice system is imperfect. Too many people, especially poor people, people of color and people in rural areas, do not have the same access to justice as other Minnesotans. I am fiercely committed to changing that reality. Over my career, I have helped at no charge survivors of domestic abuse, people fleeing persecution in their home countries and seeking asylum in the United States, and parents seeking to preserve their custody rights. I worked on a successful decade-long effort to free an inmate wrongly sentenced to death in Texas. I organized Access for Persons with Disabilities, a program that trained lawyers on the unique needs and obstacles to justice for persons with disabilities and paired those lawyers with clients with disabilities. And I am leading efforts on the Court to implement innovative ideas to make sure everyone who needs legal advice gets it. My commitment to you is that I will work hard every day to thoroughly and compassionately consider every case that comes before me.[3][4] |
” |
Michelle L. MacDonald
MacDonald's campaign website said the following:
| “ |
Michelle has watched the legal system evolve into a system of INJUSTICE over the last 30 years. Michelle knows our rights as people and citizens have eroded. The Rule of Law appears non-existent. People are fed up, feeling like they need a lawyer for almost everything. Judges have violated our trust, systematically taking away liberties with our property and children by use of court orders promoted by attorneys to regulate day-to-day lives. Minnesotans desire virtually no government, and a large private sector. Yet, government (including the third branch --- courts) continues to get bigger, and the private sector continues to diminish. There is no true separation of powers --- the legislative, executive and judicial branches conflate to deprive us of our liberties. WE THE PEOPLE don't actually have a say in anything that is being imposed on us. Pro liberty with your family, resources and property Michelle knows you have the right to be left alone if you are not harming anyone. She wants to eliminate over-regulation of you, your family and your property by lawmakers, law enforcement, attorneys and courts that deprive us. Our liberties with our lives, resources and property provided by the 14th amendment are eroded. We are inhibited in our pursuit of happiness by laws that are not constitutional being enforced by courts that fail to recognize fundamental liberty rights. Protection of All People Michelle is prepared to protect and defend your inherent rights ---those you get by being born, like the air you breathe. She is committed to fundamental liberties, Constitutional rights, and fair treatment of all citizens---children and adults. Many laws don’t pass even the first element of due process ---- clear rules. For instance, did you know that laws have countless definitions of the word “person”? Where is the common sense? Transparency and Accountability Michelle is an aggressive crusader for justice. Michelle understands that no one is above the law—not even judges. This brings us to the second element of due process --- government adherence to the rules. Michelle is prepared to ensure accountability and oversight of the system of justice in Minnesota. Pro Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness Michelle is pro-life, but refrains from judging those who may have chosen legal abortion. Michelle is adverse to the multi-millions of tax dollars our government funds to planned parenthood. Michelle is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has been an attorney for adoption agencies for over 20 years. She is an adoptive mother as well. Pro Second Amendment - Gun Rights and Safety Guns don't kill people --- People kill people. We have a constitutional right to bear arms safely in order to protect ourselves, our loved ones and for hunting activities. We cannot and should not rely on our government to protect us. Our laws already do what they can to keep guns away from dangerous people who might misuse them.[5][4] |
” |
Campaign finance
Thissen
MacDonald
Past elections
2018
- See also: Minnesota Supreme Court elections, 2018
Chief Justice
General election
General election for Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice
Incumbent Lorie Gildea won election in the general election for Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Lorie Gildea (Nonpartisan) | 99.1 | 1,636,533 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 15,390 | ||
| Total votes: 1,651,923 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Seat 1
General election
General election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 1
Incumbent Barry Anderson won election in the general election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Barry Anderson (Nonpartisan) | 99.1 | 1,582,996 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 13,719 | ||
| Total votes: 1,596,715 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Seat 2
General election
General election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 2
Incumbent Margaret Chutich defeated Michelle L. MacDonald in the general election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Margaret Chutich (Nonpartisan) | 55.9 | 1,054,841 |
| Michelle L. MacDonald (Nonpartisan) | 43.7 | 825,770 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 7,128 | ||
| Total votes: 1,887,739 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Seat 5
General election
General election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 5
Incumbent Anne K. McKeig won election in the general election for Minnesota Supreme Court Seat 5 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Anne K. McKeig (Nonpartisan) | 99.2 | 1,571,384 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 12,615 | ||
| Total votes: 1,583,999 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Click [show] at the right to view more past election results. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2016
November 8 general electionIncumbent Natalie Hudson defeated Michelle L. MacDonald in the general election for Seat 6 on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
August 9 primaryIncumbent Justice Natalie Hudson and challenger Michelle L. MacDonald were the top two finishers and advanced to the November 8 general election.
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About the Minnesota Supreme Court
- See also: Minnesota Supreme Court
The Minnesota Supreme Court is the court of last resort in the state of Minnesota. It consists of seven justices who are elected to the court in nonpartisan elections for six-year terms. The court sits in the supreme court's chamber located in the Minnesota State Capitol or in the Minnesota Judicial Center.[6]
Political composition
This was the political composition of the supreme court heading into the 2020 election.
| ■ Barry Anderson | Appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) in 2004 | |
| ■ Margaret Chutich | Appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in 2016 | |
| ■ Lorie Gildea | Appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) in 2006 | |
| ■ Natalie Hudson | Appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in 2015 | |
| ■ Gordon Moore | Appointed by Gov. Tim Walz (D) in 2020 | |
| ■ Anne K. McKeig | Appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in 2016 | |
| ■ Paul Thissen | Appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D) in 2018 |
Selection
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court are chosen in nonpartisan elections and elected to six-year terms. Candidates compete in primaries, from which the top two contestants advance to the general election.[7] Sitting justices must run for re-election if they wish to serve additional terms. While party affiliation is not designated on the ballot, incumbency is.[7] Interim vacancies are filled via gubernatorial appointment. Appointed justices serve until the next general election occurring more than one year after their appointment.[7] They may then stand for election to a full term, and other candidates may file to run against them.[8]
Qualifications
Justices are required to be "learned in the law" and under 70 years old. Sitting justices who reach the age of 70 while in office are allowed to serve until the last day of that month.[7][9]
Selection of the chief justice
The chief justice is directly chosen by voters in a nonpartisan election. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Supreme Court endorsee's pending DWI case surprises the GOP," June 13, 2014
- ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ Paul Thissen's 2020 campaign website accessed October 7, 2020
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michelle MacDonald's 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 7, 2020
- ↑ Minnesota Judicial Branch, "Minnesota Supreme Court," accessed December 18, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Minnesota," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ The Office of the Revisor of Statutes, "Constitution of the State of Minnesota," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Office of the Revisor of Statutes, "2006 Minnesota Statutes," accessed July 30, 2014
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Minnesota • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Minnesota
State courts:
Minnesota Supreme Court • Minnesota Court of Appeals • Minnesota District Courts • Minnesota Problem-Solving Courts • Minnesota Tax Court • Minnesota Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals
State resources:
Courts in Minnesota • Minnesota judicial elections • Judicial selection in Minnesota
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