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N.D. (AP) – Gov. Jack Dalrymple has appointed his staff attorney to a judgeship in the Southeast Judicial District.

Jerod Tufte has been Dalrymple’s legal counsel the past four years. He’ll succeed John Paulson, who retired after serving more than 30 years on the bench.

Six people applied for the job, and Tufte was among three finalists named by a nominating committee. The others were Cass County prosecutor Cherie Clark and Stutsman County prosecutor Troy LeFevre.

Tufte holds a law degree from Arizona State University. He has served as a federal appeals court clerk, as an attorney with a Phoenix law firm, and as a state’s attorney in Kidder and Sheridan counties. He also is a member of the National Guard and has served as legal counsel to military commanders.