Governor Dannel P. Malloy (right) announces his nomination of Justice Andrew J. McDonald to serve as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court in January.
The Connecticut state Senate recently shot down Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McDonald’s bid to lead the court.
The vote was lost at 19-16. All 18 of the chamber’s Republicans, plus one Democrat, voted to reject McDonald.
McDonald, who is openly gay, would have been the first out Chief Justice in the nation.
Homophobia?
On Monday, 26 March, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the Republicans’ plan to reject McDonald. Malloy hinted that some of the opposition might be because McDonald is gay.
The Republican state Senators who rejected McDonald said his homosexuality had nothing to do with their votes, rather what they deem to be McDonald’s ‘liberal bias.’ McDonald angered many Republicans when he supported a Supreme Court decision to get rid of the death penalty back in 2012.
‘This is not about Justice McDonald’s personal views on how he wants to run his personal life,’ said Republican Senator John Kissel. ‘The story is about a handful of judicial cases. We don’t want an activist chief justice driving this branch of government. It’s a dyed-in-the-wool Democratic background that Justice McDonald has.’
Support of the state
Still, McDonald had the support of various Connecticut-based legal establishments, including the state’s bar association, law school deans, and more.
In a statement, McDonald wrote:
‘To the LGBT community, particularly its youth who I know have been closely watching this process, I want you to understand that every minority group in history has faced setbacks. In the fullness of time, those setbacks usually end up becoming a source of strength.’
Reactions
Many citizens and politicians in Connecticut expressed their anger and disappointment at the Senate’s decision. Others were happy with the outcome and took to Twitter to explain why.
I thought the standard was that we confirmed Chief Justices who were QUALIFIED. Andrew McDonald is already ON the CT Supreme Court. Are we suddenly saying he isn’t qualified??? Or are YOU #LenFasano #JohnKissel & #CTGOP just homophobic? I think the answer is clear.
— Nicole Lauren (@Nicole1515) March 30, 2018
I hate both parties in this state. I’m a liberal independent (Uconn grad) that saw a 2010 Malloy debate. I only voted Foley because Malloy is horrible. I’m even gay & I’m fb friends with Andrew McDonald. But our states crisis made me leave to VA for multiple years.
— Brian (@BriansHotRead) March 29, 2018
@senatorhwang I need you to give me one solid reason right now why you voted against the confirmation of Andrew McDonald, or I’ll be campaigning for whoever runs against you in the next election. #confirmMcDonald
— Jason Zetoff (@Junipurr26) March 29, 2018
The rejection of Andrew McDonald for Chief Justice of the CT State Supreme Court is a clear demonstration that the GOP is the party of Donald Trump,
as they do not give a damn about anything but their own power.— Neil P Mehta (@NeilPMehta) March 29, 2018
Here’s the full exchange with reporters where Gov. Malloy accused those opposed to Andrew McDonald of being homophonic and specifically addressed Democrat Joan Hartley who voted against the nomination in the Connecticut Senate. pic.twitter.com/SRIrYNneF1
— Max Reiss (@MaxReiss) March 28, 2018
@ToniBoucher Shame on you for voting against Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice. We will remember this when we vote you out this November.
— Indivisible CT-4 (@indivisiblect4) March 28, 2018
Today is an excellent day in #Connecticut. No one cares that Andrew McDonald is #lgbtq. We do care about his liberal activism. We don’t need judges legislating from the bench or infringing on our #liberty.#CTDems #CTPolitics
— Unapologetically Pro 2A (@Conservative2A) March 28, 2018
This type of partisanship and bigotry has no place in the nomination and appointment of a judge. Andrew McDonald is qualified, period. https://t.co/ilwy8XU9cu
— Dita Bhargava (@ConnecticutDita) March 28, 2018
An absolute disgrace. Andrew McDonald is a good man. His power in deciding cases would have changed little if confirmed. Whether voted down for politics or something worse, Rs remain disgusting. VOTE. THEM. OUT.
— Gern Blansten (@RealGernBlnsten) March 28, 2018
This all being said, if this isn’t resolved by the general election, and Connecticut (hopefully) elects a Democratic governor, they should renominate Andrew McDonald unless he declines the elevation. (Or he actually, somehow, gets confirmed before then.)
— GVOLTTheGVOLTTheGVOLTTheGVOLTTheGVOLTTheGVOLTTheGV (@GVOLTT) March 27, 2018
My statement on the Senate Republicans’ decision to block the nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald. pic.twitter.com/jVNIWnXdRl
— Chris Mattei (@ChrisMatteiCT) March 26, 2018
I’m furious about the @CTGOP’s decision to block Andrew McDonald’s confirmation, and you should be too. Here’s my statement. pic.twitter.com/RBd92No8lz
— Will Haskell (@WillHaskellCT) March 27, 2018
.@SenatorHwang Be better than party lines. There are too many legal experts and organizations who support Andrew McDonald to all be wrong. #confirmMcDonald
— Laura Orban (@LauraOrban) March 27, 2018
I stand with Andrew McDonald. @CTSenateGOP, #dotherightthing #VoteYes.
— Michael D’Agostino (@MCDforCT) March 27, 2018
