For over six months, there has been speculation that State Senator Phil Haines would be nominated for a judgeship and former Congressional Candidate Chris Myers would become the next State Senator. So the other day, as expected, Governor Corzine nominated Haines. But Haines decided he'd play politics with the nomination and turn it down for now. Here's his reasoning:
"I am writing today to respectfully ask that you remove my name from consideration for a judgeship at this time. While I am humbled by this nomination to the bench and thank both of you for this high honor, I am concerned by the manner in which this and other last minute nominations and appointments are being handled in Trenton.
It has long been my strongly-held personal belief that the incoming governor should not be handcuffed with lame duck political appointments that are not his own. While it has always been and continues to be a lifelong dream of mine to become a judge, I cannot in good faith accept a nomination that conflicts with my beliefs."
While the nomination is being made at the end of the term, it's no surprise that it's being made to anyone that has followed the situation. There's nothing last minute about the decision. But there seems to be more to the story:
To hear Republicans tell it, Haines is sacrificing his "lifelong dream" on principle. But Democrats consider it political gamesmanship.
Republicans and Democrats admit that he will likely be appointed by Christie some time after he takes office. And it could help Republicans to put Haines' nomination off until September, allowing them to avoid what could turn out to be a costly special election for his seat.
A source in the governor's office said that senate Republicans have urged Corzine to hold off on the Haines nomination for several weeks, fearing a special election in the 8th District next year could frustrate their efforts against freshman U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) and in a potential special election for the seat of state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park), who is battling an aggressive form of cancer.
"Senator Haines will be a great judge some day, and the Governor personally likes him. But to pretend this is an issue concerning nominations is comical," said the source. "The Republicans' motivations for holding off on Haines's judgeship have been made clear for weeks now."
The source said the Governor decided to go through with the nomination because they had not heard directly from Haines.
In all likelihood, Phil Haines will become a judge and Chris Myers will be the next State Senator. This is just a detour along the way. But for Haines to act like he's sacrificing something is ridiculous. He knows that he will be nominated again in the near future by the next Governor. He's just masking his party's political ambitions by accusing the Democrats of playing politics.
