[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of John Fitzgerald as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District. Fitzgerald will replace the Honorable Jennifer K. Fischer and will be chambered in Willmar in Kandiyohi County. 

“John Fitzgerald’s approach to justice centers around humility and kindness. Those skills will not only make him an excellent addition to the Kandiyohi County bench but will help serve his community,” said Governor Walz.

Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District encompasses Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine Counties.

John Fitzgerald is the first assistant county attorney at the Meeker County Attorney’s Office, where he supervises attorneys and support staff in the prosecution of criminal matters. In addition, he prosecutes a variety of misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony-level offenses. Fitzgerald also represents Meeker County in civil commitment proceedings and guardianship matters. He was previously a law clerk for the Honorable Kristine R. DeMay in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Fitzgerald’s community involvement includes serving as chair of the Meeker Area Food Shelf and as a member of the board of directors of the Litchfield Lions Club. He earned his B.A. from the University of North Dakota and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. 

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.