Minge is a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., a fellow in the W.W. Kellogg Foundation Food and Society Policy Program and a lecturer at the University of Minnesota, Morris.  He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota's Second Congressional District from 1993 to 2001, an attorney with the Nelson, Oyen, Torvik, Minge and Gilbertson law firm in Montevideo from 1977 through 1992, a professor at the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie from 1970 to 1977 and an attorney with the Faegre and Benson law firm in Minneapolis from 1967 to 1970.  Minge earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1967 and his bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1964.

"Congressman Minge is a man of great intellect and integrity who demonstrated his collegiality as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives," Governor Ventura said.  "But he is not just a politician; he is a lawyer who has practiced in the city as well as the country.  He has also taught law.  He is ideally suited to be a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals."

Minge was co-founder and chair of the Agricultural Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, a board member and chair of Western Minnesota Legal Services, and a participant in the Volunteer Attorney Program.  He also served on the Montevideo School Board, the Montevideo Chamber of Commerce Board, the Montevideo Community Development Board, and was co-founder and a member of Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) Board.

Minge, 59, was born in Clarkfield and lives in Montevideo with his wife, Karen.  They have two sons, Erik, 34, and Olaf, 31.  Minge replaces the Honorable Gary Crippen, who will retire as a judge of the Court of Appeals on April 2, 2002.