Gov. Chris Christie has nominated Judge David Bauman to fill a long-vacant position as Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court. If the Superior Court judge is confirmed, he’d be the first Asian-American to serve on the state’s highest court. Christie nominated Judge Bauman in 2012 but withdrew his name because of what Christie called Senate inaction.
Why does he expect a confirmation this time?
“I just believe that the sense of fundamental fairness dictates that someone who they just confirmed unanimously this past May for lifetime tenure on the Superior Court, there is no reason for them not to take on this nomination. In addition, we’ve had Democrats throughout this state and around the country clamoring about Washington, D.C. and the idea that it would be absolutely unacceptable for the Republicans in the United States Senate to hold up the confirmation of a United States Supreme Court justice for 11 months. This seat has been held open for six years. It’s no longer acceptable, and it’s not acceptable to me,” Christie said.
NJTV News Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron spoke about Christie’s announcement. He said it’s likely the Democrats will continue to stonewall the nomination and not even hold a hearing to the issue.