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Yesterday afternoon, the Senate voted on the nominations of two new justices to the Delaware Supreme Court, the Honorable Abigail LeGrow and Mr. N. Christopher Griffiths.
Breaking with tradition, Governor Carney’s choices left the Delaware Supreme Court with no representation from Kent County. Governors have long sought both political and geographic balance on the state’s highest court, and his decision to forgo that balance is both unprecedented and disappointing.
Aside from the residency concern, our caucus took issue with Mr. Griffiths’ recent DUI arrest. The DUI was downgraded to a reckless driving - alcohol related charge, which he pled guilty to on March 21, 2023, just two weeks prior to his nomination. During the nomination process, and possibly extending to him taking his seat on the Supreme Court, Mr. Griffiths is on probation.
Since the names were put forth, we have received an extraordinary number of calls and emails from members of the legal community throughout the state, predominantly from Kent County. Virtually all expressed concern about the lack of geographical diversity and urged us to not support the nominations.
For these reasons, our caucus did not support either nomination. It is unfortunate that Governor Carney placed both Judge LeGrow and Mr. Griffiths in this situation.
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