Gov. Nathan Deal will soon fill at least three vacancies on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Randy Evans, co-chair of the governor’s Judicial Nominating Commission, in a March 12 article, expressed “worry” that the pool of candidates for those seats would lack diversity. According to Evans, “When we have the most diverse group of applicants, minorities and women get on short lists.” Tellingly, Evans did not say minorities and women actually get appointed.
Mr. Evans’ stated concern for a diverse applicant pool stands in stark contrast to the statements the article attributed to the governor. The governor reportedly said in 2016: “[i]s racial diversity more important than excellence and credentials and ability? It’s a factor, but is it the most important factor? I don’t think so.” To his credit Evans rejected the governor’s formulation and expressed the reality that “focusing on diversity isn’t a compromise on quality.” Nevertheless, the worn canard espoused by the governor keeps being trotted out. The pernicious trope of diversity as antithetical to excellence continues to be used as cover for the appalling lack of inclusivity in the governor’s appointments where it matters most.
