“I was stunned at the time,” Kimberly Maki said, recalling a mock trial in Duluth when she was in high school. “I am happy to say that I am living the dream every day.”

Maki, the head of the civil division within the county attorney’s office, was the only claimant to replace retired county attorney Mark Rubin.

His status as acting county attorney was unanimously approved Tuesday in Duluth by county commissioners, who will finalize Maki’s appointment with a vote at next week’s county council meeting in Virginia. Once approved, she will assume the role of the county’s lead prosecutor and legal representative from October.

Rubin, 67, announced his retirement last month, effective September 30.

PREVIOUSLY:

Maki will complete the last 15 months of Rubin’s tenure, which is due to expire on January 2, 2023. When asked if she has planned to run in the November 8, 2022 election, Maki affirmed her intention.

“I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t do it at this point,” Maki said. “If I had to put down (candidate) today, I would.”

Under state law, the onus is on the council to appoint a successor until the position is next on the ballot in November 2022. The council sometimes needs to hire a new county administrator, appoint a replacement commissioner or, as we saw a few years ago, replace an outgoing auditor.

But it is rare to replace the Attorney General. Everyone who has held that post for at least half a century has assumed the post by election, leaving no modern precedent for the task at hand.

Maki, 45, has replaced Rubin at county council meetings several times in the past, acquainting himself with the commissioners.

“We are incredibly lucky to have such a talented and dedicated employee ready to get to work, ”said Commissioner Ashley Grimm, representing West Duluth.

“I look forward to Ms. Maki being elected as the St. Louis County District Attorney, which I have no doubt will be, ”said Fayal Township Commissioner Keith Nelson.

Outgoing Rubin was first elected county attorney in 2010, twice running unopposed for re-election.

Maki is a 10-year veteran of the county prosecutor’s office, the last nine in charge of the civil court division. Maki worked in private practice before moving to St. Louis County, specializing in the areas of mining law and public works.

His experiences with appraisal techniques have been beneficial to the county’s efficiency in property tax and appeals cases, the county noted when Maki was installed as head of the civil division.

“Kim has been a trusted resource to me and to this board for many years,” said County Administrator Kevin Gray. “The fact that we have such a talented leader within the office is a real testament to the depth of experience and skill within the county attorney’s office.”