ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has named his human services commissioner, Lucina Jesson, and University of Minnesota deputy general counsel Tracy Smith to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Jesson has headed Human Services since appointed by Dayton four years ago. Her background in law includes teaching at Hamline University and stints as deputy in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and for the state attorney general.

Smith also worked in the attorney general's office before joining the university.

The pair will replace Natalie Hudson, who was named to the Minnesota Supreme Court earlier this year, and the retiring John P. Smith.

Jesson's departure leaves the state's single largest agency without a commissioner.

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