lefevretroyJamestown (CSi) Stutsman County Assistant State’s Attorney Troy LeFevre will run for the Southeast District Court judge seat currently held by Judge Thomas Merrick, who announced earlier this month he won’t seek re-election.

LaFevre has been an Assistant State’s Attorney since 2006.

LeFevre says he was caught by surprise when Merrick sent a letter to the North Dakota Supreme Court on December 31st that he would not be seeking re-election to the Southeast District Court Number 7 District judgeship. Merrick said he will complete his term, which expires on Dec. 31.

LeFevre said he had no intent to run if Merrick was seeking re-election, adding that he decided to run for Merrick’s seat because he feels confident the District Number  7 judgeship will stay in Southeast District Court.

Candidates running in the primary election, in June this year, must submit a petition containing the signatures of at least 300 qualified North Dakota electors.