COEUR d'ALENE - Richard S. Christensen, a St. Maries attorney for nearly 20 years, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by 1st District Court Judge John Luster's retirement.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter announced his choice Wednesday, picking Christensen over Kootenai County deputy prosecutor John Cafferty and Kootenai County Magistrate Scott Wayman. The three were nominated by the Idaho Judicial Council.

"I'm honored and humbled to serve the people of North Idaho in this capacity," Christensen said. "I'm thankful the governor and the Judicial Council have placed their trust in me."

Christensen, 56, is a New Jersey native who received his bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and his law degree from the University of Idaho.

Christensen said while he's on the bench, "I'm not there to carry out any particular agenda."

He was a prosecutor in Boise County, practiced law in Grangeville and Boise, was a deputy Idaho attorney general, a Benewah County prosecutor, and worked in private practice in St. Maries.

Christensen and his wife, Katherine, have three children. He said they'll move to Kootenai County.

"This isn't the first time Rich has been among the outstanding candidates forwarded to me by the judicial council," Otter said in a news release.

Otter said he respects and admires Christensen's perseverance and his commitment to serving the people of North Idaho.

"Given this opportunity, I'm confident that Judge Christensen will be an outstanding jurist and a credit to the bench," Otter said.