Five contested judicial elections

Five contested judicial elections

Five judgeships are contested in Tuesday's 2002 North Dakota general election. Here is a brief biographical sketch of each candidate: East Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 1

	Cynthia Rothe-Seeger, 53, is a district judge with chambers in Fargo. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1975. Before becoming district judge, Rothe-Seeger served in the Cass County State's Attorney's Office, and as a Cass County magistrate and county judge. She was the first woman to become a district judge in North Dakota.
Alan Sheppard, 50, is an attorney in private practice in Fargo. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1978. After law school, Sheppard worked as an assistant attorney general for the North Dakota Insurance Commission. He has been in private practice since 1979, and is counsel for Valley Water Rescue, Inc., and the Toppers - FM car show.

Northeast Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 5

Debbie Kleven, 44, is presiding judge of the Northeast Central Judicial District. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1983. Before she became a district judge, Kleven worked as an attorney in private practice and served in the Grand Forks County State's Attorney's Office and as Grand Forks County Judge. She has served as a district judge since 1994.
	Jonathan Christensen, 42, is in private practice with Johnson & Associates, P.C., in Grand Forks. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1998. Christensen has focused on family law since entering legal practice. In addition to his legal work, Christensen teaches computer science at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Northwest Judicial District Judgeship No. 2

Gary Lee, 47, is in private practice with Olson Burns Lee, P.C., in Minot. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1980. Lee worked for the North Dakota Attorney General's office before going into private practice in Minot in 1982. He is president-elect of SBAND, alternate municipal judge for the City of Minot, and legal counsel for several governmental entities in the Minot area.
	Douglas Mattson, 46, was elected Ward County State's Attorney in 1990 and has served in the position since 1991. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1985. After law school, Mattson worked as a government attorney and legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., and was in private practice in Minot from 1987-1990. Mattson served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982.

Northwest Judicial District Judgeship No. 5

David Nelson, 51, is a district judge with chambers in Williston. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1981. Before he became a district judge, Nelson served as a municipal judge from 1984-1994 while also working as an attorney in private practice. He was elected as a district judge in 1994 and was reelected in 1996.
	Richard Hagar, 45, is in private practice with Kenner Sturdevant Peterson & Cresap, P.C., in Minot. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1989. Hagar graduated from the Air Force Academy and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in North Dakota before attending law school.

Southeast Judicial District, Judgeship No. 9

John Greenwood, 52, is a district judge with chambers in Jamestown. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1975. Before he became a judge, Greenwood served as State's Attorney for Stutsman County from 1993-1999. He also worked as an assistant state's attorney and in private practice. Greenwood was appointed as a district judge in 1999.
	Randall Hoffman, 47, is an attorney in private practice in Jamestown. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 1991. After law school, he worked as an associate attorney with Paulson and Merrick in Jamestown. He was elected a district judge in 1994, and resigned in 1999. Prior to attending law school, Hoffman operated a cattle and grain farm in Eddy County.

November 4, 2002