N.J. Senate committee rejects Gov. Christie's Supreme Court nominee Phillip Kwon | NJ.com
March 22, 2012
TRENTON — On a day marked by angry outbursts and raw nerves, the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee today rejected Chris Christie’s nomination of Phillip Kwon to the state Supreme Court, handing the governor his biggest setback since coming to Trenton.
It was the first time in modern history lawmakers have turned down a governor’s choice for the state’s highest court.
The committee’s 7-6 vote against Kwon capped more than seven hours of intense questioning and furious verbal sparing that left some Republicans charging Democrats with staging a "witch hunt" and a "lynching."
Shortly after the vote Christie lashed out at Democrats.
"They conducted a shameful mockery of a hearing that dragged Phil and his family through the mud," Christie said. "Today was political payback for pension and benefit reform. … Phil Kwon was sacrificed at the altar as payback."
The governor added, "They all followed the political line like lemmings."
The vote came after Democrats grilled Kwon about the legal problems of his family’s business and accused Christie of trying to stack the court with Republicans.
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