RICHMOND, Va. — The Senate Courts of Justice Committee nominated former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli for a state Supreme Court seat, according to Senate Republicans, who told CBS 6 that it goes to the Senate floor for a vote soon.
The Republican-controlled state Senate and House will likely back the conservative politician’s nomination, though the GOP majority plan was to nominate Appeals Court Judge Rossie Alston, according to Daily Press reporter Travis Fain.
Cuccinelli has been nominated to a seat currently filled by Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s recess appointment. McAuliffe’s appointment of Supreme Court Justice Jane Marum Roush, a former Fairfax Circuit Court judge, has lapsed.
State Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Richmond, backed Cuccinelli. Sturtevant was the one key vote against Alston’s nomination. He was elected to the Senate in 2015, by a 1,088-vote win over his Democratic opponent Daniel Gecker.
The Supreme Court seats are appointed by the General Assembly. The governor can not veto.
Cuccinelli lost his gubernatorial campaign to McAuliffe in 2012.
This is a developing story.
