JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Latest on the judicial nominating process in Alaska (all times local):
5 p.m.
The executive director of the Alaska Judicial Council says a clerical mix-up resulted in her not receiving a request from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office for more information on the council’s judicial nominee process.
Dunleavy, in a letter released publicly Thursday, said his office sought more information from the council on candidates not recommended for two openings on the Palmer Superior Court, including its reasoning.
The council’s executive director, Susanne DiPietro, said she responded to a request for more information but wasn’t asked for the council’s reasoning.
Following up with the administration Thursday, she says she was told there was a clerical mistake resulting in a letter from Dunleavy’s chief of staff seeking the council’s reasoning not being sent.
She says she now has that request and would share it with the council.
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1:05 p.m.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declined to fill for now a seat on the Palmer Superior Court, citing questions with the process used in sending nominees to him for consideration.
Dunleavy sent a letter to the Alaska Judicial Council saying he believed there were qualified candidates that the council “inexplicably” did not nominate. The council advanced three names for two open seats on the Palmer Superior Court.
Dunleavy appointed to one of the seats John Cagle, an assistant district attorney in Anchorage who was on the list. He has left unfilled the other spot.
Dunleavy’s letter says his office requested more information from the council on candidates not recommended, including the council’s reasoning.
Susanne DiPietro, the council’s executive director, says she provided additional information but wasn’t asked for the council’s reasoning.
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