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Democrat no longer open to elevating Alston to Virginia Supreme Court Democrat who at first did not commit to Va. Supreme Court candidate chooses Roush
(3 days later)
Clarification: This article has been amended to clarify Sen. Kenneth Alexander’s initial position on Judge Rossie Alston’s proposed election to the state Supreme Court. The original article reported that Alexander was “considering” supporting Alston, but in two places, it also referred to Alexander’s “support” for Alston. The story should have referred to his “consideration.”
RICHMOND — Virginia’s long-running Supreme Court drama took a few more unexpected turns Thursday as a member of the state Senate’s black caucus briefly flirted with backing the GOP’s plan to oust Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s choice for the state Supreme Court.RICHMOND — Virginia’s long-running Supreme Court drama took a few more unexpected turns Thursday as a member of the state Senate’s black caucus briefly flirted with backing the GOP’s plan to oust Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s choice for the state Supreme Court.
Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk) said shortly before noon Thursday that he was considering voting for the judge whom Republicans want to put on the high court to replace the one McAuliffe (D) put there over the summer on a temporary basis.Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk) said shortly before noon Thursday that he was considering voting for the judge whom Republicans want to put on the high court to replace the one McAuliffe (D) put there over the summer on a temporary basis.
Republicans have been scrambling to find a Democratic defector in the closely divided Senate to make up for one on the Republican side. Freshman Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Richmond) has said he will not go along with plans to replace McAuliffe’s Supreme Court appointee with another judge — a stance that has so far thwarted fellow Republicans, who control Richmond’s upper chamber by a 21-19 majority.Republicans have been scrambling to find a Democratic defector in the closely divided Senate to make up for one on the Republican side. Freshman Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Richmond) has said he will not go along with plans to replace McAuliffe’s Supreme Court appointee with another judge — a stance that has so far thwarted fellow Republicans, who control Richmond’s upper chamber by a 21-19 majority.
With Alexander’s support, Republicans briefly appeared to have the votes to elevate Virginia Court of Appeals Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. to the Supreme Court. In the process, it would have allowed the GOP to oust Jane Marum Roush, who McAuliffe put on the bench with a recess appointment. With Alexander waiting to make a decision, it was unclear whether Republicans could have had the votes to elevate Virginia Court of Appeals Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. to the Supreme Court. In the process, it would have allowed the GOP to oust Jane Marum Roush, who McAuliffe put on the bench with a recess appointment.
“I’ll make my decision probably in the next couple of hours,” Alexander told The Washington Post shortly before the Senate convened about noon.“I’ll make my decision probably in the next couple of hours,” Alexander told The Washington Post shortly before the Senate convened about noon.
But within hours, after the Senate’s black caucus met behind closed doors, Alexander’s support seemed to evaporate. Republicans put off the vote, leaving the judicial tug-of-war in limbo. But within hours, after the Senate’s black caucus met behind closed doors, Alexander appeared to have made up his mind for Rouch. Republicans put off the vote, leaving the judicial tug-of-war in limbo.
Alexander, who is running for mayor of Norfolk, did not respond to a request for comment later in the day. His legislative assistant, Yovonda Bellamy, said, “He is supporting Roush.”Alexander, who is running for mayor of Norfolk, did not respond to a request for comment later in the day. His legislative assistant, Yovonda Bellamy, said, “He is supporting Roush.”
Asked if that meant he had ruled out supporting Alston if his name alone emerges from the GOP-dominated House, as expected, Bellamy said that Alexander would call to respond. He did not do so by Thursday night.Asked if that meant he had ruled out supporting Alston if his name alone emerges from the GOP-dominated House, as expected, Bellamy said that Alexander would call to respond. He did not do so by Thursday night.
Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance (D-Petersburg), another member of the black caucus who has sometimes been cozy with Republicans, said she would not break with the party on the judicial vote.Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance (D-Petersburg), another member of the black caucus who has sometimes been cozy with Republicans, said she would not break with the party on the judicial vote.
Asked whether she would vote for Alston if his name came before her, she said, “I’m sticking with the Senate caucus, the Democratic caucus.”Asked whether she would vote for Alston if his name came before her, she said, “I’m sticking with the Senate caucus, the Democratic caucus.”
GOP leaders initially voiced no objections to Roush, a highly regarded Circuit Court judge from the Washington suburbs. But they were put out because McAuliffe did not consult them on his appointment. GOP opposition to her grew after Roush accepted a second recess appointment from McAuliffe, whose authority to grant it was in doubt.GOP leaders initially voiced no objections to Roush, a highly regarded Circuit Court judge from the Washington suburbs. But they were put out because McAuliffe did not consult them on his appointment. GOP opposition to her grew after Roush accepted a second recess appointment from McAuliffe, whose authority to grant it was in doubt.
Early in the controversy, Democrats argued that Republicans opposed Roush because of her gender, although they later largely abandoned that line of attack. Republicans pushed back by noting that Alston is black. Until now, the GOP’s identity-politics appeal had not seemed to make any inroads with black Democrats. But Alexander’s comments suggest that may have changed — if only briefly.Early in the controversy, Democrats argued that Republicans opposed Roush because of her gender, although they later largely abandoned that line of attack. Republicans pushed back by noting that Alston is black. Until now, the GOP’s identity-politics appeal had not seemed to make any inroads with black Democrats. But Alexander’s comments suggest that may have changed — if only briefly.
“I’ve only spoken to Judge Alston privately on the phone,” Alexander said. “Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to see him before we vote on him.”“I’ve only spoken to Judge Alston privately on the phone,” Alexander said. “Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to see him before we vote on him.”
Asked Thursday morning whether he would support Roush if, through some unexpected twist, her name emerged from the House, Alexander said: “I may have a chance to vote on Judge Roush, if she’s coming over. I may have a chance to vote on Judge Alston, if he comes over. I don’t know who’s coming over.”Asked Thursday morning whether he would support Roush if, through some unexpected twist, her name emerged from the House, Alexander said: “I may have a chance to vote on Judge Roush, if she’s coming over. I may have a chance to vote on Judge Alston, if he comes over. I don’t know who’s coming over.”