TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Monday nominated Bruce Harris, an openly gay African-American Republican mayor, to the state’s Supreme Court.
Bruce Harris
Harris, 61, a graduate of Yale Law School, was elected mayor of the borough of Chatham, N.J., in November, and sworn into the office just weeks ago — at the time, he was believed to be the first openly gay, black Republican mayor in the country.
If confirmed by the state Senate, Harris would be the third African-American to be seated on the court, and the first openly gay justice in New Jersey. His partner of 32 years, Marc Boisclair, attended the announcement.
Currently only six openly gay justices sit on state Supreme Courts nationwide, according to Victory Fund, a Washington D.C., group that supports political campaigns of gay candidates.
Steve Goldstein, chief executive of Garden State Equality, a gay rights organization, said he was stunned when Christie called to tell him about the imminent nomination of Harris.
“As I told the governor right then and there, you could have picked me up off the floor,” Goldstein said. “Bruce is eminently qualified to be a Supreme Court justice.”
Christie also nominated Phil Kwon, 44, to the state’s high court — Kwon is a Korean-American assistant attorney general.
“I am honored to nominate these two gentlemen,” Christie said at a Statehouse news conference. “I trust the Senate will take into account their extraordinary backgrounds and experience and will give them swift hearings.”
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I hesitate to click “like” – I don’t like that he’s a Republican, but I don’t give a damn about the rest of it!
See I knew I liked Chris Christie for a reason….he’s an in your face friend of the friends of Dorothy. I may disagree with some of his politics but I love his style.
Hmmm… me thinks this could be a sign that Gov. Christie may sign the gay marriage bill if it reaches his desk.
Perfect example of how some republicans are human beings. The gay rights movement should be happy to any party that promotes its, humanity’s, social justice and equality.
That’s a step in the right direction for Chris,he’s putting his beliefs aside and hiring the right person for the job!
W00t w00t….. Go Jersey.
FUCK YES
According to the New York Times, “Mr. Christie said the nomination did not indicate a reversal of his opposition to same-sex marriage.” The Times also quotes the leader of Garden State Equality (the state’s prominent gay rights group) “[Christie] has said in past years and months that he would veto the bill [to legalize same-sex unions], and we take him at his word,” he said.
Where is the headline: Governor Appoints Racially Diverse Nominees In Hopes of Overturning School Desegregation Rulings? Black people have already hopefully learned via Clarence Thomas that token representation can be used for to roll back the clock on civil rights.
This article is really shamefully uninformative about the aims of Gov. Christie. His oft-stated opposition to gay marriage is overlooked, as is his unprecedented refusal to reappoint the previous black State Supreme Court Justice, and his attempt to overturn the New Jersey equivalent of the Brown v. Board school desegregation decision.
Can we stop this silly celebration of Gay Firsts if they are being used as a smokescreen? Sheesh.
Can we stop this silly celebration of Gay Firsts when the person is being appointed to roll back the clock on civil rights?
This article says nothing about the aims of Gov. Christie. His oft-stated opposition to gay marriage is overlooked, as is his unprecedented refusal to reappoint the previous black State Supreme Court Justice, and his attempt to overturn the New Jersey equivalent of the Brown v. Board school desegregation decision.