Washington County judicial candidates differ on party approach

This election season, voters in the eight counties of the 10th Judicial District are choosing whether to elect Washington County District Judge Helen Brosnahan to a six-year term or her challenger, self-employed civil and criminal attorney Nathan Hansen.

Hansen was quick to point out in a recent interview that he sought and received the Minnesota GOP recommendation for the judicial district, which encompasses Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties.

Hansen said he believes the designation is an advantage, adding that on average 65% of the district’s voters are Republicans.

Moreover, state GOP Executive Director Anna Mathews said, a recommended candidate is entitled to party resources such as data, technology and being on sample ballots and websites.

Brosnahan, who’s been an appointed judge just shy of three years, is taking the opposite approach to her first campaign in that regard. She said the judiciary should not be politicized, adding she hasn’t sought and won’t accept a political party’s backing.

“Unlike my opponent who has aggressively sought and obtained a recommendation from a political party, I remain true to Minnesota’s long history and tradition of having a nonpartisan judiciary,” she said this week in an email. “I have been nonpartisan and remain nonpartisan.”

Instead, Brosnahan pointed out that she is endorsed by seven retired state Supreme Court justices: five who were appointed by Republican governors, two who were appointed by Democratic governors and one who was elected (Alan Page).

“The voters need to look no further than that for my commitment to be nonpartisan,” she said.

Brosnahan spent 22 years as a criminal and civil prosecutor with the Dakota County Attorney’s Office before her judicial appointment by Gov. Tim Walz in February 2022.

“Unlike my opponent I have gone through the rigorous nonpartisan judicial selection process that weeds out hundreds of candidates every year seeking to be appointed to the bench,” she said.

The seat, which is chambered in Stillwater, previously was occupied by Tad Jude, who stepped aside to run for state attorney general but failed to secure the Republican endorsement.

The 10th Judicial District has 45 judges, including Amy Brosnahan, who is chambered in Isanti County and not related to Helen Brosnahan, and roughly 365 staff, overseeing nearly 120,000 cases per year.

‘I am who I am’

Minnesota judicial elections have been nonpartisan for more than a century, meaning no party affiliation is listed next to a candidate’s name on the ballot.

However, after decisions in the early 2000s by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, judicial candidates are allowed to seek the backing of a political party, although it’s rarely done in Minnesota, presumably over concerns of a perceived bias from the bench.

Hansen said that since the COVID-19 pandemic “no Republican activist believes that anybody is nonpartisan anymore. They don’t believe that at all. They don’t believe the school board is. They don’t believe the city council is. They don’t believe judges are.”

Hansen’s past work includes several conservative causes. He represented a farmer who was acquitted in 2012 of violating the state’s raw milk laws, and, more recently, helping a small-town restaurant owner defy Walz’s COVID-19 shutdown order.

“I am who I am,” said Hansen, who ran for the state House of Representatives in 2010 as a GOP-endorsed candidate while living in North St. Paul. “I think if people say that they’re not who they are, it’s just disingenuous.”

He added, “But I believe in treating everybody real fairly, no matter who they are.”

No other judicial candidates besides Hansen came forward to receive the Republican recommendation this election season, Matthews said.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota DFL does not endorse or recommend candidates in judicial races, said DFL Party spokesperson Darwin Forsyth, adding “we stay out of judicial elections.”

“We encourage voters to check out votemnjudges.org, which provides information about each candidate as well as the results of a preference poll taken of members of the Minnesota legal community,” he said in an email.

Here’s more about the candidates:

Helen Brosnahan

Age: 54

City: Resides in Washington County

Family: Husband and two children

Education: Smith College, 1988-1992, (B.A. Government/Political Science); Juris Doctor: University of Minnesota Law School, 1993-1996

Relevant experience: For 15 years I was a prosecutor where I managed and prosecuted cases ranging from traffic violations to the most serious and complex sex offenses, computer facilitated exploitation of minors, child pornography, complex financial crimes and homicides. My career has been on the front lines of the justice system. I also worked in civil law for 10 years where I handled a variety of contentious legal issues in state and federal courts. I am honored to currently serve as a District Court Judge where I preside over all case types as well as at Washington County’s Veterans Court. My experience ensures that the judicial system can effectively and efficiently address the most heinous crimes with the seriousness required. A judge’s responsibility is to uphold the law based on facts, not to entertain unsubstantiated claims that undermine our society and legal system.

Community work: I have mentored law students and young lawyers through the University of St. Thomas Student Mentor Program and Minnesota Women Lawyers Student Mentor Program. I have volunteered as a judge for the MSBA Mock Trial Competition. I have served as a judge for the University of Minnesota Law School Moot Court Competitions. I am co-chair of the West Point Parents Club of Minnesota and am responsible for coordinating packing “Boodle Boxes” (care packages) to send to Minnesota’s deployed troops for the holidays. I have served meals at St. Paul Higher Ground homeless shelter. I assist Smith College with admissions recruiting.

Why you want to be a district court judge: I am honored to currently serve as a judge in the 10th District and seek to retain the position. I am nonpartisan and I have the endorsement of seven retired Supreme Court justices, several county attorneys and the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota. I haven’t run for political office multiple times. I was appointed after being recommended by the nonpartisan judicial selection committee following rigorous screening and interviews. I do not have a political agenda. I am committed to faithfully apply the laws of the state of Minnesota as written and interpreted by our Supreme Court. We must prioritize candidates who are equipped to handle the complexities of the law and demonstrate a clear commitment to justice, rather than those who promote division and distrust. Our safety, particularly that of our most vulnerable citizens, depends on electing judges who prioritize factual integrity and legal expertise.

Why should people vote for you: I am an experienced, respected and fair judge. I was selected by the nonpartisan judicial selection commission comprised of lawyers and members of the community following a rigorous application and interview process and then appointed as judge. I understand the role of a district court judge is to apply the laws — not make them. I believe the judiciary should be nonpartisan. I faithfully apply the laws as enacted by the legislature and interpreted by the Supreme Court. I approach each case with the utmost respect and understanding the impact legal matters have on the individuals involved. I preside at Veteran’s Court serving those who have served our country. My tenure as a judge, and 25 years of experience as a prosecutor, civil practitioner and trial attorney, give me the knowledge and experience necessary to serve the people of the 10th Judicial District in a thoughtful, dedicated and competent manner.

Two top challenges with the judicial system: Access to justice is a top challenge, whether access is impeded by a language barrier, lack of transportation, lack of technology, or lack of representation it creates disparities in outcomes. Self-represented individuals require additional time and resources until their case is finished. Upon taking the bench, I worked with the family law bar to implement a limited scope representation program in Washington County, aimed at assisting those with limited means in obtaining representation. I will continue identifying other areas and work to reduce or eliminate other barriers to justice. Another challenge is addressing the mental health needs of those in the justice system. This requires addressing the mental health needs of those in our community so they don’t end up in the justice system. Greater collaboration between the social service system and the justice system is needed to ensure individuals are treated with dignity while addressing their mental health needs.

Website: www.judgehelenbrosnahan.org

Nathan Hansen

Age: 48

City: Mahtomedi

Family: Four children, all minors.

Education: A.A. St. Petersburg College, with Honors; B.A. University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts; Juris Doctor, University of North Dakota School of Law

Community work: I volunteer at the Washington County Law Library for people with civil law questions. I have worked to change two state laws related to debtors in Minnesota, and they were changed during the Dayton administration. My pro bono work is done privately on my own initiative.

Relevant experience: I have over 20 years of civil and criminal litigation experience. I have probably handled over 100 trials, bench and jury. Some small, some larger. These include, divorces, CHIPs, contract, debtor/creditor, HROs, OFPs, gun rights restoration, expungements, defamation, property disputes, misdemeanors, felonies, bankruptcy and business litigation and more. I have an extensive appellate record in state and federal court. I worked for MNDOC for around four years before I went to law school. I have around 25 years of experience with the Minnesota Criminal Justice system.

Why you want to be a district court judge: Other lawyers in my community privately encouraged me to run for this seat because they did not believe the incumbent has a good judicial demeanor. I want to live in a safe, fair, polite, free and orderly society.

Why people vote for you: I have the depth of experience and demeanor to do a good job. I am a good manager and easy to work with. I know the law and have the inner strength and confidence to handle difficult situations and tough calls. I know business litigation and the stakes involved in those disputes, which is needed on the bench.

Two top challenges with the judicial system: Management of civil dockets. Some of these cases simply do not move like they do in federal court, where I also practice. I think if caseloads allow it, some of the practices I have seen in federal court should be applied to state court. In federal court, judges mediate other judge’s cases. I would be open to doing this if I had the time when on the bench. The family law system. I have seen people in bankruptcy court completely destroyed by the system, including parents who have spent their entire retirement on family law attorneys for an adult child. The problems are not susceptible to one solution but families should not go bankrupt from interminable family law litigation.

Website: www.hansen4judge.com