On Friday, Gov. Ed Rendell nominated McKean County President
Judge John M. Cleland to fill a vacancy on the state Superior
Court.
If confirmed, the judge may be one of the first from a rural
area to sit on a state appellate court, filling one of two
vacancies created when judges Seamus McCafferty and Debra Todd were
elected to the Supreme Court in November.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway,
recommended Cleland to the governor.
“The senator and I had some conversations over the years, and
we’ve discussed how there are no rural judges in the appellate
courts. I just didn’t think I was going to be the person to break
that barrier,” Cleland said Friday. “I give credit to the senator
that he understood that’s an issue – that (the rural) perspective
be a part of the appellate courts.”
“I’m very honored to be in a position to bring someone from a
rural area and bring some rural diversity to the bench,” Scarnati
said Friday. “There are very few rural (area) judges sitting on the
benches. This will allow for some geographic diversity. I couldn’t
be happier or prouder to have someone of such stellar character
being nominated to the court.”
Cleland joins Rendell’s other nominees for statewide appellate
courts, including Judge Jane Greenspan for state Supreme Court and
Judge Robert Freedberg as the other nominee for state Superior
Court.
“It’s certainly an honor to be nominated by the governor and be
a part of a package of such good people,” Cleland said. “I know
Jane Greenspan and Rob Freedberg, who are both fine judges. I’m
just honored to be part of that package.”
Now, Cleland will go through the process of being confirmed.
Scarnati explained Cleland will meet with members of the state
Senate and be part of a State Judiciary Committee hearing. The
report that comes out of that hearing will then go to the full
Senate for a confirmation vote.
Scarnati said the confirmation should happen within the next 10
days.
“I suspect Judge Cleland will move easily through the process,”
he said. “With his experience and character, it will be a great
honor for our area to have him named as a judge to the Superior
Court.”
Cleland said he is looking forward to the process of
confirmation but is not sure what to expect. He said other than
running for state Supreme Court in 2001, he has stayed out of
politics and is not sure what interests are at stake.
“I’ll just do the best job I can, hope the Senate judges me on
what I’ve done and hope it all works out,” he said. “I just hope to
get approved, get on the court and get to work.”
GOP members rejected earlier nominees submitted by Rendell in a
floor vote last month. Republicans had complained that Rendell’s
choices – four white men, including three from Philadelphia and one
from Pittsburgh – lacked racial, gender and geographic
diversity.
Those confirmed are intended to serve until 2010, when permanent
successors elected in 2009 are sworn in for 10-year terms.
Scarnati said the confirmed judges should take the position
shortly after the Senate confirmation. If Cleland is confirmed,
this would create a vacancy in McKean County.
“I’ll be working with the governor’s office then to confirm
another judge for McKean County,” Scarnati said.
He explained the process for McKean County judge is similar to
that for Superior Court judge with the Senate having to confirm the
nomination.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
