ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton will name three new judges to the Minnesota Court of Appeals as the first-term Democrat begins to shape the state’s judiciary.

Dayton said Friday that he is seeking candidates to succeed retiring Judges Gordon Shumaker and Edward Touissant Jr. The governor previously called for applicants for a seat held by Judge Harriet Lansing, who also retired.

Eight months into his term, Dayton has yet to name anyone to Minnesota’s top courts. He has appointed six district judges and one judge each to Tax Court and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.

The 19-member Appeals Court reviews trial court decisions except for first-degree murder cases and statewide election contests.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty made more than 120 judicial appointments in eight years, including nine Appeals Court judges, four Supreme Court justices and three Supreme Court chief justices.