Troy Timmerman was named the new judge for Faribault County District Court.

Last Thursday Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointments of Stephen Ferrazzano and Troy Timmerman as District Court judges in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. Ferrazzano will be replacing the Honorable Bradley C. Walker, and will be chambered at St. James in Watonwan County. Timmerman will be replacing the Honorable Douglas L. Richards, and will be chambered at Blue Earth in Faribault County.

The two men were among four who were being considered for the two openings.

“Throughout their distinguished careers serving Minnesota’s judicial system and in private practice, Mr. Stephen Ferrazzano and Mr. Troy Timmerman have demonstrated their strong legal acumen,” said Governor Dayton in making the official announcement. “I thank them for agreeing to continue their public service to Minnesotans, as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District.”

Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District consists of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan Counties.

Timmerman serves as the Faribault County Attorney. As county attorney, he is responsible for handling criminal, civil and child support matters. Previously, he was an Assistant Public Defender and Managing Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District and in private practice at Wendland Timmerman PA. He earned his BA from the University of Northern Iowa and his JD from the University of Minnesota.

Timmerman serves as a volunteer EMT for Blue Earth Ambulance Service, a member of the Faribault Martin Jackson Drug Court, and a martial arts instructor and owner of Timmerman Tae Kwon Do.

Timmerman said he went to the governor’s mansion in St. Paul last Monday to be interviewed by the governor personally.

“I thought the interview went quite well,” Timmerman said last Tuesday. “The governor was very nice and asked great questions.”

“I am very excited about the opportunity,” he said. “I have really enjoyed being the County Attorney and I am looking forward to serving as Faribault County’s district court judge. I was very pleased to be selected to be the judge in the county where I have lived for the past 23 years.”

County auditor/treasurer John Thompson said the next step is going to be the County Board appointing an interim county attorney to fill out Timmerman’s term.

“His term expires at the end of 2018,” Thompson said. “Whoever the commissioners appoint as an interim will serve to the end of 2018. But, a new county attorney will be elected in the November election next year and will begin their term in January of 2019.”