On Friday, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune published a letter by three former Minnesota Supreme Court justices sent to Senate leadership and Minnesota’s Senate delegation supporting President Trump’s nomination of Justice David Stras to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. It reads in part:
We write to urge that the Senate Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Senate act expeditiously to confirm the nomination of Minnesota Associate Supreme Court Justice David R. Stras to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Justice Stras has all the attributes and qualifications necessary to make an excellent circuit court judge. We have firsthand knowledge that this is true given that we served with him as justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court. . . .
As his colleagues on the court, we have gained firsthand insights into his abilities and qualifications. He is a hard worker and was always prepared for the cases that came before us. He was a valued voice during court conferences. While he looks at issues from a definite and well-defined perspective, he evaluates legal issues with objectivity and an open mind, traits that are not universal. We found him to be independent and impartial in his approach to the law.
As noted in an accompanying op-ed, the three authors of the letter — Alan Page, Helen Meyer and Paul Anderson – are not generally viewed as conservative themselves. Yet they support confirmation of Justice Stras because his qualifications, intellect and temperament make him well suited for the federal courts.