Local attorney up for judge seat

The Commission on Judicial Selection announced this week that it is recommending three candidates to Gov. Tim Walz for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District. The vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable David M. Johnson. The seat will be chambered in Duluth in St. Louis County.

Jeffrey Boucher, Jessica Fralich and Aaron Welch were recommended, said a governor’s office news release.

Jeffrey Boucher is the chief deputy attorney of the Carlton County Attorney’s Office, where he manages adult criminal prosecutions, complex violent felonies, and financial crimes. He serves as vice chair of the county policy committee and is a member of the Carlton Treatment Court team. Boucher was previously a special assistant county attorney in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. His community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for First Witness Child Advocacy Center in Duluth.

Fralich is the city attorney for Duluth, and Welch is a senior assistant county attorney with the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office.