AUSTIN — The search for two new Mower County judges is officially underway.

Earlier this week, the Commission on Judicial Selection announced the vacancies in the 3rd Judicial District for judges Fred Wellmann and Donald Rysavy, who are retiring this spring.

Freeborn County is in the 3rd Judicial District, too. It covers southwest Minnesota from Rice and Wabasha counties to Houston County

The commission is currently taking applications. They are due by the close of business on March 17, and interviews will be on April 11.

Typically, three finalists are selected per vacancy before the governor selects the new judge. With two vacancies, officials in Gov. Mark Dayton’s office confirmed there will be four finalists.

The announcement of the new judges should come later in April or in May.

Rysavy was appointed by Gov. Arne Carlson in 1995 and will retire May 2. Wellmann was appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura in 2000 and will retire April 4.