Governor Hochul Defends Judge Candidacy, Demands Fair Hearing

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and other prominent state Democrats and Hispanic leaders on Saturday demanded a fair hearing on the gubernatorial chief judge nomination on Wednesday, dismissing claims by liberal lawmakers that Hector D. LaSalle is too conservative and should be withdrawn. .

Hochul, appearing at a leadership meeting for the Hispanic Pastoral Action Center, promised to support LaSalle, a veteran judge who, if confirmed, would be the first Hispanic to head a seven-member high court and oversee the New York City judiciary. She called him “highly qualified” for the job.

“I have studied all the records. I’ve seen all the cases, even the ones that slander and are used against him, and… they’ve been falsely presented. And that’s something I won’t stand for,” Hochul said, arguing that past candidates were not “biased” and “misrepresented” like LaSalle.

While nominations to the highest courts usually go through the State Senate, LaSalle quickly aroused opposition. Some progressive activists, labor representatives and Democratic senators say his jurisprudence is anti-abortion, labor relations and due process, and his nomination would tilt the state’s highest court too far to the right.

“Now more than ever, we need our Court of Appeals to be a leader in protecting our civil liberties, protecting our democracy, and protecting New Yorkers’ most vulnerable,” New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said at a recent State Capitol meeting. News conference. She urged Hochul to withdraw from the nomination.

The debate over Lasalle’s candidacy led to a split among former political allies.

“That was hard. I get calls and threats from the same people I fought with to get one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in 25 years,” State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, referring to the recent law allowing access to driver’s licenses. regardless of immigration status.

“These were my friends,” Sepulveda told the crowd. “But I tell them what I tell you all. I don’t care that this fight will cost me my political career. This is the hill on which I will die.” Sepulveda supports LaSalle’s nomination.

LaSalle is currently chairman of the Second Department, where he presided over the largest state appellate court in the country, with a budget of approximately $69 million. He was appointed to the position in 2021 by the then governor. Andrew Cuomo.

Former Chief Justice Janet DiFiore resigned last summer.