NJ Senate Judiciary Committee To Consider 2 Major Judicial Nominations
By David Madden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A hearing is set tomorrow on a tenure bid for the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, as well as the nomination of a South Jersey judge to join the high court.
Both men are expected to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and moved to full senate confirmation as part of a deal with the Christie Administration.
The fight over political control of the court has dogged both Republican Chris Christie and Senate Democrats for the last four years.
This deal will put Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, a Democrat, in the top spot for up to 16 years, until he turns 70. His current seven year term expires at the end of the month.
Superior Court Judge and former Camden County Prosecutor Lee Solomon, a Republican, is up for his own seven year term.
State Senate President Steve Sweeney says, "I would expect both of them to be challenged by both sides and have a very, very intense hearing. But in the end, I think they'll both be approved."
The deal leaves the court with a 3-3 split. One vacancy, now being filled by a senior appellate judge, will remain.
Sweeney concedes neither he nor Christie can agree on that seat.
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