Three members of the Governor’s Council questioned Patrick’s decision to highlight the fact that Lenk would be the court’s first lesbian justice.
Supreme Judicial Court nominee Barbara Lenk is seen with the man who nominated her, Massachusetts. Gov. Deval PatrickBOSTON – Gov. Deval Patrick is defending his pick for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court after members of the panel charged with approving judicial nominees faulted him for focusing on the fact that Appeals Court Judge Barbara Lenk would be the high court’s first openly gay member.
Patrick called Lenk “more than qualified,” pointing to her decades on the bench and Ivy League education, and said her sexual orientation wasn’t central to his decision.
Patrick made his comments on Thursday, a day after three members of the Governor’s Council questioned his decision to highlight the issue in response to reporters’ questions.
Councilor Charles Cipollini of Fall River said Patrick was trying to satisfy political supporters, including activists in the gay community, by nominating Lenk to the SJC.
Patrick called that charge “ridiculous.”