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North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven named Minot attorney Todd Cresap to the position of Northwest District Court judge on Monday, filling a new bench seat created in 2009 by the state Legislature.

Hoeven selected Cresap from a pool of three finalists nominated by a statewide judicial selection committee. The other finalists were Minot attorney William Bergman and Kelly Dillon, an assistant Ward County state's attorney.

Several of the sitting district judges attended the ceremony, which was also attended by court personnel, friends and family, and area lawmakers.

"We were fortunate to have such outstanding candidates," Hoeven said. "It's difficult to pick finalists, but that means good things for the people of North Dakota and for the Northwest Judicial District."

Hoeven told the audience he has known Cresap for many years, throughout which Cresap has demonstrated outstanding character, intelligence and thoughtfulness.

"He has the people skills to be an outstanding judge," Hoeven said.

Hoeven also lauded Cresap's activity in the juvenile drug court, saying Cresap has demonstrated a great deal of compassion for the young people of the state.

"That shows that he cares, not just about justice as provided by our court system, but really about helping people, and the drug court program is changing lives," he said.

N.D. Supreme Court Justice Dale Sandstrom and Northwest District Court presiding Judge William McLees also spoke, welcoming Cresap to the bench.

"Todd has an excellent background, a well-rounded background, a lot of experience in things that come before the district court," Sandstrom said. "We have a great deal of confidence in him."

McLees, who also serves on the nominating committee, said there were good candidates in each of the three districts that recently seated new judges.

"We had outstanding candidates wherever we went," McLees said. "We're very, very confident that the right person was chosen for this job."

Cresap earned an economics degree from Minot State University in 1983 and graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1986. He has practiced law for 23 years, in that time practicing with Gary Lee and Michael Sturdevant, both who are current district court judges. Lee, a Northwest district judge, was in attendance on Monday.

Cresap took the podium briefly, unable to fully contain his emotions over finally achieving the goal he unsuccessfully campaigned for in 2006. Cresap was defeated that year by current district judge Richard Hagar, who was also in attendance.

"I just feel honored," Cresap said. "There were so many good candidates. Either Mr. Bergman or Ms. Dillon would have made excellent choices. To actually be selected is a great honor."

Cresap joked that a friend had called him a few hours earlier, asking him if he had any remarks prepared for the ceremony.

"I told him, 'I'm a lawyer. I'm not an engineer like you I'm usually not at any loss for words,'" he said, as he began to choke up slightly. "I truly am at a loss for words right now. Thank you."

The new judgeship, chambered in Minot, takes effect on Jan. 1.