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New Jersey governor nominates attorney over incumbent for supreme court
May 3, 2010
New Jersey: Today Governor Chris Christie nominated Morristown attorney Anne Murray Patterson for a seat on the New Jersey Supreme Court over incumbent John Wallace. Wallace's term is up on May 20, 2010. This is the first time that a New Jersey governor has not re-nominated a serving justice for lifetime tenure.
Christie said at a news conference, "I have great both personal and professional respect for Justice Wallace. I just believe that if you look at his overall body of work, that it represents a different philosophy - that philosophy being that it's OK to legislate from the bench. I don't believe it is".[1]
Patterson's nomination is subject to approval by the state Senate. If approved, Patterson would help create the first female majority in the court's history. She is registered as a Republican to replace a Democrat. If approved, the political make-up of the court would be three Republicans, three Democrats and one independent.[2]
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Jersey • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Jersey
State courts:
New Jersey Supreme Court • New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division • New Jersey Superior Courts • New Jersey Municipal Courts • New Jersey Tax Court
State resources:
Courts in New Jersey • New Jersey judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Jersey
