Surya Saxena emerges finalist for Minnesota’s next US attorney

New York: Surya Saxena, a former assistant US attorney for Minnesota, has emerged as a finalist for the top federal prosecutor post in the state, according to a Sahan Journal report

Saxena, an Indian American who’s currently the senior associate general counsel at UnitedHealthcare in Minnetonka, joins two other names in the running for the high-profile job. Andy Luger, a former U.S. attorney (2014–2017), is currently a partner at international law firm Jones Day. Lola Velazquez-Aguilu, a former assistant US attorney for Minnesota, is currently a lead counsel for a product line at Medtronic.

Two of these potential nominees are people of color: Saxena is an Indian American, Velazquez-Aguilu a Latina.

The names of candidates for the US attorney job typically remain secret throughout the selection process. In late February, a seven-person committee led by Ramsey County Attorney John Choi met behind closed doors to compile a short list of candidates to become Minnesota’s next US attorney.

Some three weeks later, amid political maneuvering in the DFL party, three candidates entered the conversation in news reports, at the State Capitol, and in Washington.

Sahan Journal learned of Saxena’s status from sources who were not authorized to comment on the potential nominees. Saxena declined to comment.

Image courtesy of (Image courtesy: sahanjournal.com)

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