Academic

Who Appointed California's Supreme Court Justices?

By Dan Filler

Here's the skinny, in case you were wondering who appointed the judges deciding today's In re Marriage Cases case. Three of the four justices in the majority were appointed by Republican governors.  Justice Ronald George, the author, was appointed by Pete Wilson.  Ditto Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdergar .  Justice Joyce Kennard was appointed by George Deukmajian and is the longest sitting Justice on the California Supreme Court.  And Justice Carlos Moreno was appointed by Democrat Gray Davis.   The three dissenters were all appointed by Republicans.  Justices Ming Chin and Marvin Baxter were appointed by Pete Wilson; Justice Carol Corrigan was named by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

A case like this must be very frustrating to conservatives who wonder whether there's something in courthouse water.  California is admittedly a progressive state, but who'd expect a court with 85% of its members appointed by Republicans to produce this result?

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on May 15, 2008 (boomark / email).