By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
Despite his frequent and strong criticism of the New Jersey Supreme Court, Gov. Chris Christie today ended months of speculation in the legal community by re-appointing the Court’s Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.
“I have expressed very clearly my disagreements with this court and I have expressed very clearly at times, disagreements that I’ve had with individual opinions of the court,” Christie said. “That being said, there was, I don’t think a louder or stronger voice seven years ago for Stuart Rabner to become the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and over the last seven years I’ve watched him be the chief justice. My respect for him has never been diminished, I’ve disagreed with him and I’ve expressed that publicly.”
The governor also nominated Lee Solomon for a seat on the High Court, a former assemblyman, BPU president and currently the Camden County Superior Court assignment judge.
“There is no one I’ve met in public life more who is more universally well-liked and well respected person than Judge Lee Solomon,” Christie said.
Christie and Rabner worked together in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Christie recommended Rabner when Gov. Corzine needed a chief counsel. The two consider themselves friends, despite deep differences on issues like gay marriage, school funding and affordable housing.
“I am so grateful, so particularly grateful, both personally and to the extent that anyone can actually step back at a moment like this on behalf of the institution of the judiciary that I care so deeply about, I’m so very grateful that the governor has submitted my name to the Senate for a reconfirmation hearing. Governor, I thank you for the extraordinary honor you’ve bestowed on me today,” Rabner said.
Rabner is a Democrat, first appointed by a Democratic governor. And Solomon is a Republican from South Jersey.
Today’s appointments — following months of bitterly partisan debate — were mutually agreed to by Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney, after much battling over Christie’s vow to re-make the High Court.
“For the people of the state of New Jersey to put this controversy behind them now. To eliminate the uncertainty in our judicial system is an enormous win,” said Sweeney.
Christie was asked how reappointing Rabner squares with his vow to remake the high court.
“What today is is the product of a compromise four and a half years in the making. And the fact is, the court is significantly different today than it was when I became the governor. If we see the confirmation of Judge Solomon, you’ll see three new justices on the New Jersey Supreme Court nominated by me and confirmed by the Senate,” Christie said.
If that happens there will still be be one vacancy on the court, which Christie is in no hurry to fill.