Obama names Andrew Luger to U.S. Attorney post in Minnesota

President Obama on Thursday nominated Twin Cities attorney Andrew Luger to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, replacing B. Todd Jones, whom the president appointed to head the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Unlike Jones, Luger will not likely have to face the threat of filibuster, which Senate Democrats voted to limit in a historic move earlier in the day.

Luger was recommended for the U.S. Attorney position last July by Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. Luger previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Klobuchar issued a statement calling Luger "a dedicated public servant whose breadth of experience, strength of character, and commitment to justice make him a well-qualified candidate to serve as Minnesota's next U.S. Attorney."

Franken, in a statement praising Luger's "invaluable experience serving in both the public and private sectors."

Luger is currently a partner at the Greene Espel law firm and has been selected as one of Minnesota's Top 100 "Super Lawyers" for the past ten years. He has been listed as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for the past four years.