LAN FYI: Star Ledger - Christie introduces 2 new nominees for N.J. Supreme Court

The article below, which appeared in today's Star Ledger, shows the initial reaction to Governor Christie's nominations to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Latino Action Network Vice President, Christian Estevez was quoted in this article. [See pull out quote below]

“We’re definitely disappointed that the governor has nominated five people to the Supreme Court and not one of those nominations was a Latino,” said Christian Estevez, a Democrat who is executive vice president of the Latino Action Network.

You can see LAN's full statement on the announcement at:

http://latinoaction.blogspot.com/2012/12/five-nominations-no-latinos-christie.html?m=0

Christie introduces 2 new nominees for N.J. Supreme Court

Star Ledger

By Jenna Portnoy/Statehouse Bureau
December 10, 2012

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/christie_press_conference.html#incart_flyout_politics

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie yesterday nominated a Japanese-American judge and the Board of Public Utilities chief to the state Supreme Court, hoping to finally win over Senate Democrats who landed their strongest punch against the Republican governor by rejecting his last two nominees earlier this year.

If confirmed, David Bauman, presiding judge of the state Superior Court’s Monmouth County civil division, would be the first Asian-American on the court and the first immigrant in modern history. BPU President Robert Hanna’s 16-year stint as a federal prosecutor overlapped with Christie’s time as U.S. attorney.

“These are two men whose careers are marked by a commitment to public service and dedication to the law that gives both of them unique perspectives and great opportunity to make a major contribution to the New Jersey Supreme Court,” Christie said.

Bauman, 56, who was born in Japan, thanked Christie as his family looked on from front-row seats at the Statehouse news conference.

“Service on the highest court is an extraordinary honor,” he said. “It’s also a solemn obligation, which I promise to discharge to the best of my abilities should I be privileged enough to be confirmed.” Hanna, 54, quoted Thomas Paine when describing the importance of an independent judiciary.

“If confirmed I will discharge my duties without fear or favor, my fidelity will be to the law, to the noble and enduring cause of justice and to the people of the state of New Jersey,” he said.

A similar scene played out almost one year ago, when Christie introduced Philip Kwon, a Korean-born son of immigrants who was first assistant state attorney general, and Chatham Mayor Bruce Harris, an openly gay African-American, as his court nominees.

But the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee rebuffed both — and the governor. In votes along party lines, lawmakers rejected Kwon, citing questions about his family’s business and his political affiliation. They said Harris lacked courtroom experience.

As a result, the seven-member court has operated with only five justices since March.

Christie, who has attacked the high court as a bastion of liberal activism, said yesterday he conceded to Democrats’ demands for partisan balance and diversity but had “no idea” if the confirmation process would go more smoothly.

“I don’t really know what more they can ask for at this point,” he said. “No one, and I mean no one, could possibly doubt the qualifications of these two men.”

Through the selection process Christie said he was in “constant conversation” with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester).

But Sweeney only issued a short statement: “The governor has made his nominations, as is his right. At this point in time, however, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) was noncommittal even though he joined his colleagues in unanimously confirming Hanna for BPU president less than a year ago. Bauman received the same endorsement in 2008 when former Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, nominated him to the bench.

“Being confirmed for the BPU,” Scutari said, “I don’t know whether that has anything to do with whether you’d be confirmed for the Supreme Court.”

Christie and Senate Democrats have scrapped over party affiliation on the high court, which has two Democrats, two Republicans and an independent. Democrats say Jaynee LaVecchia, the independent, should be considered a Republican because she worked under GOP governors. Christie considers LaVecchia an independent, and said these nominations are “a compromise” that should break the logjam.

Christie initially described Kwon, a previously registered Republican, as an independent, This summer he began referring to Kwon as a Republican.

Just as when Kwon became the first Asian-American nominated to the court, the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey applauded the move. “I think this is a proud day ... for the Asian community,” president Paul Yoon said.

But representatives of other minority groups took aim at Christie.

“We’re definitely disappointed that the governor has nominated five people to the Supreme Court and not one of those nominations was a Latino,” said Christian Estevez, a Democrat who is executive vice president of the Latino Action Network.

State Sen. Ron Rice (D-Essex), who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, said, “We’re basically right back where we started with this governor as to how he relates to the Supreme Court and minorities across the board.”