Candidates for the Alaska Supreme Court narrowed
October 24, 2009
Alaska: Of the 25 applicants to fill Robert Eastaugh's seat on the Alaska Supreme Court, which will open when he retires effective November 2, 2009, seven have been nominated by the Alaska Judicial Council and recommended to the Governor. These seven are: David Case, Andy Harrington, Michael MacDonald, Eric Smith, Craig Stowers, Philip Volland and Daniel Westerburg.[1]
The applicants were rated by the Alaska Bar Poll, and the highest overall performance rating earned was 4.3 out of 5, which was earned by Superior Court judge Philip Volland. Full results can be viewed here.
Governor Sean Parnell has 45 days to fill the vacancy. Appointed justices are then subject to a retention election at the state's first general election that is more than 3 years after the appointment. After that, the five justices are subject to a retention elections every ten years.[2]
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Alaska • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Alaska
State courts:
Alaska Supreme Court • Alaska Court of Appeals • Alaska Superior Court • Alaska District Court
State resources:
Courts in Alaska • Alaska judicial elections • Judicial selection in Alaska
