During an April budget hearing for the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission, D.C. Councilmember Phil Mendelson had a rare public discussion with U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, the commission chairman, about a process that takes place mostly behind closed doors.
Mendelson said he had heard that some candidates for D.C. Superior Court and D.C. Court of Appeals judgeships launched “private campaigns,” marshaling phone calls and letters of support. Sullivan replied that while he wouldn’t call them “campaigns,” the commission was always open to public feedback and, yes, some candidates were more effective at getting supporters to write or call.
