AAl Boucher won the race for the Grand Forks municipal judge race Tuesday, edging out John E. "Jack" Widdel Jr., 53-46 percent.
A total of 9,567 votes were tallied, according to complete but unofficial results from the North Dakota Secretary of State's office. Twenty-five write-in votes were cast.
"I'm really excited," Boucher said. "I hope I can honor the voters' request that I serve as judge."
Boucher, 60, has been a practicing attorney at Robert Vogel Law Office in Grand Forks since 1984.
He also has judicial experience as the alternate municipal judge in Grand Forks since 2009 and has also served as municipal judge in Northwood, Larimore and Emerado.
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Boucher graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law and was admitted to the North Dakota bar in 1984.
"I think I'm pretty well known," Boucher said. "I went door to door and talked to a lot of people and the response was positive. I think getting out and meeting people is really important."
Widdel, 75, served as alternate municipal judge in Grand Forks for 39 years and was appointed municipal judge in October after longtime Municipal Judge Henry Eslinger retired.
Municipal court settles cases involving city ordinances, non-criminal traffic offenses and other non-criminal infractions.
Reach Bieri at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .
