Senior Olmsted prosecutor may become judge

A senior member of the Olmsted County Attorney’s office may soon be on the other side of the judicial bench.

Eric Woodford is one of four finalists recommended by the Commission on Judicial Selection for consideration to fill two current vacancies in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. They were created upon the retirements of judges Donald Rysavy and Fred Wellmann. Both seats will be chambered in Mower County Court in Austin. Woodford has been a lead criminal attorney for the Olmsted County Attorney’s office and supervises a team of attorneys.

The other finalists are:

Erin Felton, a private attorney who lives in Owatonna; Jeffrey Kritzer, a private attorney from Austin; and Kevin Siefken, a private attorney from Albert Lea. The recommendations have been sent to Governor Dayton for his consideration.