Under questioning by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari, Anne Patterson did not list a decision rendered by former Justice John Wallace with which she agreed or disagreed.
“When Gov. Christie offered me the nomination – May 3rd, 2010 – he had already chosen not to re-nominate Justice John Wallace,” Patterson told Scutari.
“Did you have any concerns?” the senator asked.
Wallace was the lone African American justice on the court.
“I did not have concerns,” said Patterson. “The governor made his decision with respect to Justice Wallace. …I have great respect for Justice Wallace. The term activist is not a term I would choose to use. I don’t know him personally, but I have great respect for him.”
Scutari doubled back on the issue later in his closer, asking Patterson what her reaction would be if a future governor does not re-nominate her.
“If I’m confirmed and I serve for seven years, and the governor does not re-nominate me, I will have been honored to have served,” she said.
