Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor says she is "all for" a proposal that would end competitive elections for Maryland's Circuit Court judges, championing a concept that is attracting new attention in Annapolis this year because of loosening campaign finance rules and increasing concerns about money flowing into judicial races, The Sun's Annie Linskey reports. O'Connor was among a panel of judges invited by Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler to express support for his judicial reforms. His proposed legislation would give the governor the power to appoint Circuit Court judges to 10-year terms. Marylanders could vote to retain the judges after that - but any judge tossed out would be replaced by a gubernatorial appointee.
Currently, any lawyer who has practiced for more than five years can run for a Circuit Court vacancy.