When the General Assembly formed the Judicial Selection Commission, its intent was to investigate, evaluate and recommend to the governor judicial candidates based on merit, and not based on politics. Initially, the majority of commission members were experienced trial lawyers.

The commission was highly selective. Less than 30 percent of the candidates were approved by the commission. The goal of the commission, consistent with the intent of the Legislature, was not to be political, and to select judges based purely on merit. We have no doubt that today's commission shares that goal.