BISMARCK — Lisa Fair McEvers has been elected the first female chief justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

She earned about 83% of the vote by sitting justices and district court judges. Justice Jerod Tufte, who also sought the role as chief justice, received about 16% of the vote.

“I will work to the best of my ability to serve all the judiciary,” Fair McEvers said after the ballots were counted by court staff Wednesday morning in the Capitol’s Judicial Wing.

She will start in the role on Jan. 1.

“You’ve served the judiciary in your role for many years, and clearly you’ve earned the respect of our colleagues, and so I look forward to supporting you in your leadership,” Tufte told Fair McEvers after the ballots were counted.

There are five justices and 54 district court judges, m

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