Lubinski confirmed by Senate: First openly gay U.S. Marshal

Almost a month ago, we mentioned that Minneapolis Assistant Police Chief Sharon Lubinski was one step away from becoming Minnesota's next U.S. Marshal, and the first openly gay U.S. Marshal. All she needed after winning approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee was a full Senate confirmation.

Today, she got it. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office announced the news.

"Sharon Lubinksi will be an excellent U.S. Marshal. It was a pleasure to recommend her to the President, and I was honored to vote for her," Klobuchar said in a statement. "Her mix of experience managing a large, urban police department and working in a rural sheriff's office makes her uniquely qualified for this position. I know she will make Minnesota proud as she serves in this role."

Lubinski has been assistant police chief since 2006, having risen through the ranks after moving here from the Dane County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin.