By Julia Shumway | Arizona Capitol Times
Senate Republicans confirmed five nominees to the state Commission on Appellate Court Appointments Tuesday over Democratic objections that Gov. Doug Ducey and the Senate failed to meet a constitutional requirement that the commission reflects Arizona’s population.
The commission, composed of five attorneys, 10 non-attorneys and the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, is responsible for recommending judicial applicants to Ducey and nominating candidates to serve on the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission.
With the Senate’s confirmation, the commission now has 13 appointed members, four of which are women, one is a person of color and none are Democrats.
Democratic senators contend the balance should be different to accurately reflect Arizona’s population. Women make up a slight majority in the state; close to one-third of the state’s residents are Hispanic or Latino; and registered Republicans, registered Democrats and people not affiliated with either major party each make up about one-third of the electorate.
Sen. Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix, called the appointment process “blatantly skewed,” noting that former Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano nominated seven Republicans to the commission when she was in office.
“Arizona’s population continues to change and diversify itself on a daily basis, but if you look at the list of folks being nominated, it does not reflect that diversity,” Rios said.
Republicans, including Sen. Sonny Borelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said the nominees are qualified and do represent diversity because four of them are women and one, Laura Ciscomani, is Latina. Ciscomani, a registered Republican whose husband is a senior advisor to Ducey, previously worked for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
