Governor's Office Continues Review of Supreme Court Panel

Candidates' Responses to Questions Posted on Governor's Internet Site           JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt's office continues to assess the three Supreme Court candidates through an open, accountable and transparent process.   Today, the office invites Missourians to review panelists' initial responses to an expansive 111 question review of their professional credentials and experience.             "We are making every effort to be thorough and diligent in our review of the three candidates' experience and qualifications and will continue sharing what we have learned with the people of Missouri," Gov. Blunt said. "As Missourians expect, my staff and I are continuing to collect and examine all available information about the candidates so that I can make an informed decision."             As part of Blunt's thorough and careful review of the qualifications and experience of the three Supreme Court candidates, his office asked the three candidates to complete an expansive questionnaire.  The questions and answers as presented to date are available for anyone to review.              The answers posted are as presented by the candidates to date.  Not all the questions were answered by the panelists, but the governor's office will make any additional information or answers provided by the candidates available.  Some addendums or referenced materials noted in the candidate's answers comprise more than 1,000 pages which was not practical to post online.  However these documents are available through public resources or may be accessed through the governor's office by request.                The governor and his staff are thoroughly reviewing each candidate, their official background checks, public documents and available information related to the qualifications and experience of each candidate.  Judges, local and state bar association members, community leaders and citizens are also weighing in as a part of the information gathering process.  In addition, letters of reference and recommendations are being collected, confirmed and assembled.              In Missouri, the governor selects a judge to serve on the Supreme Court from a panel of three candidates submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission.              The Appellate Judicial Commission is made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors.  Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court. --------------------------------------------------- Missouri Supreme Court Candidate Review In Missouri, the governor selects a judge to serve on the Supreme Court from a panel of three candidates submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. The Appellate Judicial Commission is made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court. The following links relate to the governor's open, accountable and transparent review of the three candidates' experience and qualifications. Governor's Office Questionnaire for Supreme Court Appellate Judicial Commission Questionnaire for Supreme Court Missouri Supreme Court Panelists' Questionnaire Responses Judge Nannette Baker Responses [PDF - 6.05 Mb] Judge Nannette Baker [PDF - 0.8 Mb] Judge Patricia Breckenridge Responses [PDF - 11.66 Mb] Judge Ronald Holliger Responses [PDF - 32.68 Mb] Judge Ronald Holliger [PDF - 0.96 Mb] Missouri Supreme Court Panelists Interviews Interview Overview Interview Questions Judge Baker Questions Judge Breckenridge Questions Judge Holliger Questions These documents are as presented by the panelists, with personal information excluded. Not all panelists answered all questions, but the governor's office will make any additional information or answers provided by the candidates available. Some addendums and referenced materials noted in the candidates' answers comprise more than 1,000 pages, which was not practical to post online. These documents are available through public resources or may be accessed through the governor's office by request. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com