Gov. Christie Nominates Judge To Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

Gov. Chris Christie nominated his pick to fill a longstanding vacancy on the state Supreme Court on Monday, tapping a jurist he nominated four years ago who never received a confirmation hearing.

Christie announced Superior Court Judge David Bauman’s nomination at a statehouse news conference. He praised Bauman as the best of a number of judges interviewed for the vacancy and said he would be the first Asian-American appointed to the state’s high court, if confirmed by the state Senate.

Christie called Bauman “exceptionally qualified.” Baumann, 59, serves as a judge with superior court in Monmouth County. He said he was “truly honored” by the nomination.

The nomination comes as the Republican-led U.S. Senate has vowed not to consider a U.S. Supreme Court nominee from President Barack Obama. Christie, whose nominee faces vetting by a Democrat-led state Senate, directly addressed the comparison, saying U.S. lawmakers should do the “right thing” and consider a nominee.

“It’s the right time for us to move forward on this,” Christie said. “It’s the right time to set an example for Washington, D.C.”

But whether Bauman will get a hearing in New Jersey is unclear. Senate President Steve Sweeney was unavailable for comment. Judiciary Committee chairman state Sen. Nicholas Scutari also declined to comment.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the March 1st, 2016 edition of Hamodia.