FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 10, 2026
Contact: Claire Lancaster
claire.lancaster@state.mn.us
651-219-2975

Governor Walz Appoints Holli Mayer to Fill Third Judicial District Vacancy

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Holli Mayer as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. Mayer will replace the Honorable Ross L. Leuning and will be chambered in Albert Lea in Freeborn County.

“Holli Mayer will bring extensive experience to the Freeborn County bench,” said Governor Walz. “Her legal career has spanned both the courtroom and the boardroom, giving her a wide range of experience to draw on in this role. The Third Judicial District will be well served by her leadership on the bench.”

Minnesota’s Third Judicial District consists of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona counties.

Holli Mayer is senior counsel at Hormel Foods Corporation, where she manages all litigation for the company. She was previously an assistant county attorney in both Mower County and Freeborn County, where she handled a wide range of cases, including adult criminal offenses, juvenile delinquencies, child protection, civil commitments, guardianships, and conservatorships. Mayer’s community involvement includes serving on the Austin Police Civil Service Commission and the United Way Backpack Program Committee. She previously served on the board of directors for the Sacred Heart Care Center. She earned her B.S. from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.

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