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When Bar Association fails to vet Assemblyman, Senate Democrats decline to act on appointment

Gov. Chris Christie has withdrawn the nomination of Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris) to be a state Superior Court judge, the governor's office confirmed Thursday.

Carroll is the most outspoken conservative legislator and his nomination was expected to be strongly questioned by the Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee. The nomination is so controversial that Christie, in another break with the longtime procedure for selecting judges, did not allow the New Jersey Bar Association enough time to review Carroll’s credentials.

Carroll, 52, said he did not expect the association to approve him. "I've had better days, that's for sure," he told The Star-Ledger. “I honestly believe that they were being polite, that they didn't feel I was capable of serving. I respectfully disagree with their opinion."

Carroll told The Star-Ledger much of the questioning from the association focused on whether he could set aside his politics to be an impartial judge. The assemblyman has a reputation for opposing abortion funding while supporting gun rights. He is also a member of the Federalist Society and has pushed legalizing medical marijuana and tax incentives for electric cars.

Kevin Roberts, Christie’s assistant press secretary, said the Judiciary Committee would not move forward with a hearing on Carroll until the Bar Association issued a recommendation on Carroll‘s nomination.

"Since it is also clear that the bar’s determination would not be completed in time for a hearing today, and no other Judiciary Committee hearings are currently scheduled, we felt it appropriate to withdraw Mr. Carroll’s nomination at this time," Roberts told The Star-Ledger.

As an attorney, Carroll handles a range of legal matters, including municipal litigation, appellate work and family law.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM