New Chief Justice is a competent choice

North Dakota’s next Supreme Court Chief Justice will make history, as many news outlets have led with in their reports. She will be the state’s first female Chief Justice, but I know that she’d be the first to say that’s a disappointing, although predictable, headline.

Lisa Fair McEvers would much rather be known, not for her gender, but for her competence. I believe I can say that because I know her.

Having chaired the Judiciary Committee in the North Dakota House of Representatives for several years prior to being elected Speaker of the House by my colleagues, I worked closely with the Court. I not only knew Justice McEvers when she was appointed by my former House colleague, Gov. Jack Dalrymple, in 2014, I got to know her even better during her years of service.

She was also a constituent of mine. Declining to move to Bismarck after being initially appointed and then repeatedly elected to the high Court, she and her husband retained their residence in the district I represented in the Legislature — West Fargo’s District 13.

Prior to joining the Court, she filled important legal roles in Cass County, first as an assistant states attorney and, later, as a District Court Judge. She also was appointed to serve as North Dakota’s Labor Commissioner (previously an elected post but later became an appointed position).

Her selection was made through North Dakota’s unique process, under which the Chief Justice is selected by the votes of Supreme Court justices and district court judges. After seeking the office unsuccessful in a previous attempt, she was the clear choice this time, garnering significantly more votes than her competitor, fellow Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte, who is also well qualified and was magnanimous in defeat as he congratulated his colleague and new Chief.

Fair McEvers will replace Chief Justice Jon Jensen who did not seek re-election to the position.

She has big shoes to fill, as long-time Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle still casts a long shadow, having occupied the position for decades prior to Jensen’s service. VandeWalle stepped down as cheif but continued to serve on the Court for a time after his long, legendary service as Chief Justice. So respected is he that, even after retiring from the Court years ago, he actually received a vote to assume the office again this year.

Yes, Lisa Feir McEvers will become the first female Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court. No doubt, she is proud of that and it’s a fact worthy of note. But it should not eclipse the most important news of the day — that North Dakota’s new Supreme Court Justice is a long-serving, well qualified legal professional.

She will assume her new role on January 1. The people of North Dakota will be well served.