Primary Election
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Prosecutor Deborah Russell runs for Hennepin County judge with AFL-CIO endorsement

From the Minneapolis Labor Review, July 27, 2012

Hennepin County Judge: Deborah Russell, 4th District Court 22

By Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review editor

Hennepin County Judge:
Deborah Russell, 4th District Court 22

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County judgeships normally are filled by appointment, but this year the departure  of incumbent Judge Deborah Hedlund has created an open seat and attracted four candidates to the race.

Deborah Russell is the AFL-CIO endorsed candidate.

Russell has worked for nearly 20 years for the Hennepin County Attorney’s  office, including most recently as a prosecutor.

She is a member of AFSCME Local 2938.

Russell was the prosecuting attorney in the high profile Amy Senser hit-and-run murder case, which recently resulted in a guilty verdict for vehicular criminal homicide. “There was a perception she might be able to buy her way out of a jam,” Russell noted. “In the end, the jury did their job in assessing the evidence.”

Russell also has worked for the Hennepin County Attorney in the juvenile division, child protection division, and, in an exchange with Ramsey County, in the public defenders office.

From 1998-2004 Russell served in the U.S. Army Reserves JAG Corps, reaching the rank of captain and working with reservists and active duty soldiers.

“I think I’ve got a nice breadth of experience that goes beyond prosecuting cases,” Russell maintained.

“Coming from a union background puts you in a different perspective as a judge,” Russell added. “I’ve seen the struggles we’ve all had to go through for a decent salary and benefits.”

“Overall, my experience will help me and advise me in making fair decisions,” Russell said.

Deborah Russell website:
www.RussellForJudge.org