Blatz was appointed to Chief Justice by Governor Arne Carlson on January 29, 1998 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Chief Justice Sandy Keith on January 29, 1998 to retire from public office. Blatz was an Associate Justice at the time of the appointment. Blatz resigned on January 10, 2006. Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Associate Justice Russell Anderson to fill the vacancy on January 11, 2006. Anderson resigned on June 1, 2008 to retire from public office. Governor Pawlenty appointed Eric Magnuson to fill the vacancy effective June 3, 2008. Magnuson was an attorney from Inver Grove Heights. Magnuson resigned effective June 30, 2010 to return to private practice. Governor Pawlenty appointed Associate Justice Lorie Gildea fill the vacancy on July 1, 2010.
Hanson was an attorney from Edina, former Minnesota Supreme Court Deputy Commissioner, and GOP candidate for the 3rd CD in 2004.