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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is recommending that a federal magistrate judge be named as the next U.S. District Court judge in Minnesota.

Susan Richard Nelson has 30 years of legal experience, including nine years as a U.S. magistrate judge. Before that, she was a trial lawyer in state and federal courts.

In the mid-1990s, she helped represent the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in the historic litigation against the tobacco industry.

Federal judges are appointed for life, so Klobuchar says it's essential to recommend someone proven to be fair-minded. She says Nelson fits the bill.

Nelson would replace U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum, who went on senior status in October. Rosenbaum still plans to carry a full caseload.

Nelson must be formally nominated by the president and confirmed by the full Senate.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-03-09 1254CST | save this article / add to your favorites list