MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Senate Majority to vote down her nomination of Judge Katherine Leonard as the next Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

“I am disappointed for the people of Hawaii who have been denied by the Senate Majority the opportunity to have Judge Leonard as the head of the Supreme Court. However, I know Judge Leonard will continue to serve with distinction on the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

“It’s extremely sad that someone of Judge Leonard’s stature and legal expertise became a victim of bias that had no merit or basis.

“The 14 senators who voted down Judge Leonard’s confirmation represent the height of hypocrisy, given that earlier this year they all voted for a resolution calling on me to appoint more women to the bench. Yet, when given the opportunity to confirm my nomination of a woman who is eminently qualified to serve in the highest judicial position in the state, these senators revealed their true colors that their so-called resolution was purely for show.

“It’s also very telling that not one woman senator supported Judge Leonard’s confirmation, despite being so impassioned about getting more women on the bench.

“I commend Sens. Espero, Gabbard, Galuteria, Green, Hemmings, Sakamoto, Slom and Tsutsui who recognized Judge Leonard was eminently qualified to be the next Chief Justice.

“Throughout this difficult confirmation process, Judge Leonard demonstrated her exceptional character. She was forthright, respectful and carried herself with dignity and integrity, despite being subjected to a double standard and unwarranted criticism by a handful of individuals.”

The governor has 10 days to submit another nominee from the list of the remaining five candidates that was given to her by the Judicial Selection Commission. Upon receiving the governor’s nomination, the Senate will have 30 days to confirm or reject the nominee.

Aiona statement on Senate Majority vote to deny confirmation of Leonard

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona issued the following statement regarding the Senate Majority’s vote to deny Judge Katherine Leonard as Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court:

“I strongly disagree with the State Senate’s decision to deny the nomination of Appeals Judge Katherine Leonard as the next Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

“Most appalling in their decision was the hypocritical nature of the vote, considering 23 Senate Democrats voted in favor of a Resolution on April 7, 2010 to advocate for the appointment of more women on the bench.

“Judge Leonard was more than qualified, as evidenced by her unanimous approval as appellate judge and the outpouring of testimony from the legal community in support of her appointment to Chief Justice.

“I call on my potential opponents and Hawaii’s other candidates to join me in strongly objecting to this misguided decision.

“The people of Hawaii deserve principled decision-makers, not political partisans.”