New Chief Judge for MN’s 8th Judicial District

(West Central Tribune/Willmar, MN) The Eighth Judicial District in Minnesota has a new chief judge.

The West Central Tribune reports Judges within the district elected Judge Rodney Clay Hanson to serve as chief judge.

He’ll replace Judge Stephanie Beckman, who held the title since 2021.

The duties of a chief judge include representing the Eighth District on judicial council, administrative tasks and assignments of other judges, according to a news release from the Eighth District.

Judge Hanson is chambered in Kandiyohi County and is one of 11 judges within the Eighth Judicial District, which covers 13 counties.

Judge Laurence Stratton was elected as assistant chief judge by the other judges in the Eighth District. He’s chambered in Renville County.