Christie’s court nominee hits roadblock

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) said Tuesday he will not authorize confirmation hearings for Gov. Christie's nominee to replace John Wallace Jr. on the state Supreme Court, ratcheting up the battle between the state's top leaders.

"The Senate cannot in good conscience play a role in the governor's reckless politicization of the courts," Sweeney said in a statement. "I will not allow the dismantling of New Jersey's independent judiciary. This nomination will not be taken up by Senate Judiciary Committee."

Wallace's initial seven-year appointment to the state's highest court expires May 20. At 68, he would have faced mandatory retirement in less than two years even if he were reappointed.

As governor, Christie has the legal authority to determine whether to reappoint a justice to the state supreme court. But under the state's constitution, which dates to 1947, no Supreme Court justice seeking reappointment has ever been denied, although one justice whose confirmation was expected to be controversial opted not to seek reappointment.

The governor on Monday nominated Morris County Republican Anne M. Patterson, a Republican, to replace Wallace. Wallace is a Gloucester County Democrat who is also the only African-American justice on the Supreme Court.