Christie nominates a gay Republican and a Korean immigrant to Supreme Court
The nominees are Chatham Mayor Bruce Harris, believed to be the only gay African-American Republican mayor in the country, and Bruce Kwon, a Korean-American immigrant who is the state's First Assistant Attorney General and was involved in the prosecution of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James.
Christie nominates a gay Republican and a Korean immigrant to Supreme Court
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE: For the full story in today's paper, click here.
New Jersey will seat its first gay Supreme Court justice and first Asian-American justice if two nominees offered by Gov. Christie are confirmed by the state senate.
The nominees are Chatham Mayor Bruce Harris, believed to be the only gay African-American Republican mayor in the country, and Phillip Kwon, a Korean-American immigrant who is the state's First Assistant Attorney General and was involved in the prosecution of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James.
"While these two men have stellar resumes and are respected throughout the legal community for what they've accomplished as lawyers, their nominations today are historic for another reason," Christie said at a Statehouse news conference today with Kwon, Harris and their families. "Not only do their different backgrounds and career paths bring distinctive and important perspectives to the court, Bruce and Phil also capture the state's diversity."
If confirmed, Harris will be the third African-American justice to be seated in the state and the seventh openly gay state justice in the country, Christie said. He stood with Christie at the news conference alongside his partner of 32 years.
"This is an important moment in our state's history and in our country's history and signals just as far we have come," the Republican governor said.
The announcement comes a day before the Democratic Legislature holds its first hearing on a bill allowing same-sex marriage, which is its top priority of the year. Christie has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage in the past, and at the news conference he made his strongest indication to date that he would veto such a bill.
"Right now all it is is a bill like hundreds of bills pending in the Legislature right now," Christie said. "I'm not someone who changes positions with the grace of a ballerina, so I wouldn't be all atwitter in expectation."
Democrats pressured Christie to appoint minorities to the court, and Christie said diversity was an important but secondary factor in his choice.
If confirmed, on March 1 Harris and Kwon will replace former Justice John Wallace Jr., an African American whom Christie declined to reappoint in 2010 in a highly unusual and controversial move, and Justice Virginia Long, who faces mandatory retirement at age 70.
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— dontlikeneocons - You are one of the worst offenders of the bunch. You do nothing but insult people. I've come to recognize that as just a part of the liberal condition though. You can't help yourself. — psyrus
- I hope these two justices recognize the basic 2nd amendment rights of individuals, and are reasonably close to strict constructionist types. I doubt it though, they're probably gun banning moderates that Christie thought he could get approved by the dem legislature.— MattPSU
- we'll see where christie stands on gay rights when he has to decide on the legislative led charge promoting gay marriage in NJ. that's when his true colors will shine threw. replacing one minority on the bench with another says nothing. sorry.— slanted and enchanted
- While this may improve the perception of Governor Arrogant, his nominees are strong conservatives, representing his political philosophy. Despite this nomination, the Governor will still veto gay marriage.— richw38
- Christi is a flaming liberal, in the same mold as Arlen Spectrr. No surprise here.— Jean Valjean
- This comment has been deleted.— Bush Destroyed America
- Hey, eldiablodelsol2009, you are too stupid to even comment on this. You obviously paint all Republicans with a broad brush and you obviously do not have the intelligence to understand the difference between good people and bad people, regardless of political affiliation. So perhaps you should just go sit in the corner someplace and think about the next stupid comment you'll make.— FrankJr
- As far as liberals are concerned this guy can't do no right. I can only imagine the comments they would have posted if Gov appointed a white man.— hollandpa
- There goes his win in the S.C. primary when his ego gets larger than his ample frame and far too big for NJ.— Tkat
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
