HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS COLUMN: …Since court appointments require a two-thirds vote by the Senate — meaning a majority of Republicans and at least a few Democrats, as well — the process is always rife with backroom politicking. It’s likely the Wolf administration floated the names of Duquesne University School of Law Dean Ken Gormley and Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler long before Wednesday’s announcement.
“It’s the type of package that seemed apparent so far back it was clear they’d be the two that would work,” said Stephen MacNett, a longtime counsel to Senate Republicans who’s been involved in the lead-up of many confirmation hearings.
Gormley and Kistler, a Democrat and a Republican, maintain the ideological balance of the court, boast impressive legal resumes and — most importantly — are expected to pledge not to run in the November election that will tie up three seats on the state’s highest court for the next decade… (more)
