Va. justice deserves a fair hearing

I urge the General Assembly to give Virginia Supreme Court Justice Jane Marum Roush fair review on her merits rather than refusing to consider her for the role [“Democrats demand hearings on pick for Supreme Court,” Metro, Aug. 11].

The Virginia Constitution is clear. When a vacancy occurs in any circuit court, the Court of Appeals, the State Corporation Commission or the Virginia Supreme Court when the legislature is not in session, the governor may appoint a replacement, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. As governor, I appointed numerous judges under this rule. Legislators often stated that they would have preferred other candidates and made plain that they would not just rubber-stamp my nominees. But they gave the jurists the respect of considering their qualifications and performance.

Justice Roush is entitled to no less. She was appointed by the General Assembly to the Fairfax Circuit Court and reconfirmed by the legislature many times in her career. She has been recommended for a Supreme Court post by legislators of both parties. Her judicial record is superb.

Why would legislators who have repeatedly voted for Justice Roush to be a circuit judge now state they will not consider her for the Supreme Court? Throwing her off the Supreme Court without even considering her qualifications would create a precedent that would damage Virginia’s court system.

Isn’t a judge entitled to a fair hearing? 

Timothy M. Kaine, Richmond

The writer, a Democrat, represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate.