“Everything about the process to nominate, vet and vote for Judge Hector LaSalle as chief justice of the state Court of Appeals was deeply flawed. It should not take a months-long, public spectacle – and ultimately a lawsuit – to decide who will assume this extremely important role.

As I’ve said from the beginning, this process should focus solely on the merits of the candidate, not political ideology. From the minute Judge LaSalle’s name was mentioned, radicals on the far left attempted to derail his candidacy. That is not how the state Constitution is intended to work.

As with too many critical measures, Judge LaSalle’s nomination became mired in Albany dysfunction. Anyone expecting a fair, equitable process from New York state lawmakers in charge instead witnessed partisan politics at their worst. I hope the next candidate is treated with the impartiality and respect Judge LaSalle was denied.”