Burgum names new justice to North Dakota Supreme Court

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed a judge and veteran litigator to replace Justice Gerald VandeWalle, who had been the longest-serving chief justice in state history. Judge Douglas Bahr will join the high court on Feb. 1, 2023, after serving in the South Central Judicial District since 2018, when Burgum first appointed him to the bench. Bahr has practiced law for 27 years, including 25 in the state attorney general’s office. The 89-year-old VandeWalle announced in November that he would retire for health reasons. He has served for 44 years on the Supreme Court, including 27 years as chief justice.