2 Dickinson men seek judgeship

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Dickinson attorney Dann Greenwood will pursue the Southwest Judicial District judge position, he announced Wednesday.

“My candidacy comes after careful consideration and much encouragement from colleagues, citizens and civic leaders,” he said in a press release. “The oil boom is creating rapid changes and new challenges for our region. Our judicial system is not immune to these developments. Our court system today is confronted with an unprecedented increase in caseload.”

He is running for the position held by Southwest District Judge H. Patrick Weir, who will not seek another term once his expires in December.

LeeAnn Oliver, election specialist with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, said Wednesday afternoon that the only petition she has received for the post is from Kevin McCabe. The deadline is April 13, she said.

McCabe is a Dickinson High School graduate and a Dickinson State University and University of North Dakota Law School graduate.

He said his background makes him a good candidate. He has been involved with civil litigation and private practice for a few years, and a supervising attorney for the Office of the Public Defender for six years.

He’s married to his wife, Ruth, an elementary teacher, and both were born and raised in Dickinson. McCabe said he always wanted to be a judge and “it would just be the next step for me. The timing is just right.”

“I’m concerned about how Dickinson is shaping up these last few years and feel that I’d be able to help in that position,” McCabe said. “I have a good relationship with the judges and court personnel.”

Greenwood is a Dickinson native who also graduated from DHS and attended Dickinson State College. He and his wife, Debra, raised three children and he is active in his church, Elks, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Dickinson Public School District, among other civic activities.

“For the past 35 years as an attorney, I have had the privilege to represent hundreds of North Dakotans,” Greenwood said in the release. “Throughout my career, I have worked on almost every type of case that touches the lives of citizens in the Southwest Judicial District. This experience provides me with an acute understanding of the impact the law has on the everyday lives of citizens from every walk of life.”

Though the two men are interested in the post, the North Dakota Supreme Court is deciding whether to transfer the position to another district.

It is seeking public comment regarding the matter until March 15. Email comments to Penny Miller, clerk of the Supreme Court at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov or addressed to 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Department 180, Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

Area Judge Zane Anderson’s position is also up for election.

Tags: dann greenwood, kevin mccabe, h patrick weir, north dakota, news, dickinson, judge, election