Stupid question: Why so many left-wing judges after 16 years of republican governors?

[JellyFish]

How come MA still has so many left-wing judges, particularly on the state supreme court after so many years of republican governors?

Shouldn't the MA judiciary be somewhat more conservative by now?

I suspect this is a stupid question with an obvious answer but I'll ask it anyway. LOL

 

[Scrivener]

It is and it does. In Massachusetts, judges are appointed to the bench until they reach the mandatory retirement age. This means all the Dukakis appointees have to "age out."

Note that Swift - who wasn't very - left office with judicial vacancies OPEN, instead of using her opportunity to fill them.

 

[JellyFish]

So you are saying that the pubbie governors haven't been able to appoint very many at all over the last 16 years? Or did they just appoint left-wing ones?

It is and it does. In Massachusetts, judges are appointed to the bench until they reach the mandatory retirement age.

 

[LoginName]

Do they have to be confirmed by the state legislature?

If so, that would explain at least part of the problem.

Also realize, that a MA republican could easily pass as a Dem when compared with other states elected officals.