Governor’s Council - Should Councilors Know Who Applied for a Nominated Position?
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When the Governor’s Council is informed of a nomination made by the governor, they don’t know how many people applied for the position or who applied for the position.
Whether this is a good idea or not is often a point of contention.
The governor’s office does not share this information with the Governor’s Council or the general public.
Currently the Judicial Nominating Commission knows who applies as do the various bar associations and members of the judiciary themselves. However the elected body that has the responsibility to review these appointments does not know how many people applied or who applied.
In a democracy it’s hard to imagine why the bar associations have knowledge of the nominees while our elected officials do not.
Having met many individuals in District 2 who appear to be fully qualified and willing to serve as a judge, I am surprised by the nominations that do make it through, as they are not always the most qualified individuals.
I advocate for openness and transparency of the process, knowing how many people are a applying and who is applying is the openness and transparency I believe will improve the current system.
To learn more about the council and what it is currently doing please check out my site patrickmccabegovernorscouncil.com
Patrick McCabe is a candidate for Governor's Council District 2, with the primary on Thursday, September 6, 2012.
dermot murphy
12:56 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Of what possible concern is it to a person confirming the nomination of a judge who else applied for that position? People apply for the judiciary in confidence for a reason--it's none of anyone's business why, or if.
Their employers, for example might not be pleased with a lawyers aspirations to leave their current position.
Of what use is it to the Governor's Council? Only to "embarass" the Governor or the nominee. If they don'rt support a nominee they should vote NO--they don't get to substitute their judgement for the Governoror absolute nomination discretion.
Patrick McCabe
2:16 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
"Of what possible concern is it to a person confirming the nomination of a judge who else applied for that position?"
People like to know. It is an opportunity to see if the choice is clearly the best choice, good enough, or none of the above.
"People apply for the judiciary in confidence for a reason--it's none of anyone's business why, or if."
People apply in confidence because that is the way it is done, other states do it differently. If you wish to argue that the way we do it is better you would have to give some reasons.
"Their employers, for example might not be pleased with a lawyers aspirations to leave their current position."
I have heard this stated by people in the system. From everything that I have seen or heard I am unaware that there is any basis to it. Most people support those that wish to do public service, if you are employed by someone who feels differently then you probably need a new job, whether it is a judgeship or not.
"Of what use is it to the Governor's Council? Only to "embarass" the Governor or the nominee. If they don'rt support a nominee they should vote NO--they don't get to substitute their judgement for the Governoror absolute nomination discretion."
No one is denying that the nominations are political, they are. As such I believe they are due review. Other states open the books on all nominees.
I support transparency.