So who are the best judicial candidates

He's a evangelical creep.

As geardaddy wrote: avoid Tim Tingelstad. I haven't checked his website this cycle (he runs EVERY time), but he used to have a Prayer Clock. Site has multiple bible quotes (he will rule from the bible, he proclaims). Incumbent is David Stras, who is conservative, appointed by Pawlenty to lean the Court conservative, as I recall. But this is no contest--a vote for Tingelstad is a vote for insanity. I do encourage anyone who hasn't checked him out to do so...and see the crazy yourself.

Dan Griffith - quotes Ayn Rand on his website. Lots of "liberty" and protecting your rights. Not a fan of Lori Skjerven Gildea, but she's the incumbent.

Dean Barkley - Jesse Ventura's Reform/Independence Party friend who for reasons unknown is endorsed (well, not officially, according to the former Enron GOP Party Chair) by the GOP. Barry Anderson is the incumbent (again, not a fan, but he's not a total RWNJ, to my knowledge).

If you search on MN Progressive Project website, they have some analysis. I've been checking...these judicial elections can be hard (and important, as you say, Arger68). Some are blatant (like Tingelstad); others, you need to read between the lines on their websites or see if the local GOP mentions any to know who to avoid.

Her own lawyer in an ethics complaint against her asked that the matter be delayed because of her health. Google her.

http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/user/InformedVoter

The writer favors Barry Anderson over Dean Barkley, saying:

http://www.cutter4judge.com/

I knew her in law school - she's very sharp.

I think sometimes these are more important than the big federal races but there usually seems to be precious little information on these candidates.