Gov. Paul LePage continues to confound lawmakers. The governor has withdrawn the reappointment of a Superior Court justice, but is allowing a District Court judge nomination to go forward.The Legislature's Judiciary Committee last week unanimously recommended LePage's nominee, York County Superior Court Justice John O’Neil, for another seven-year term. But this week the governor withdrew the nomination before the state Senate could vote on it.
In his letter to O’Neil, the governor said he regretted withdrawing the nomination. But in a move that's puzzling lawmakers, the governor is allowing the nomination of John Martin of Skowhegan to the District Court to go forward.
There's no indication in the governor's communications to the Legislature why he has made that decision. Martin could be the only nominee considered at this week’s meeting of the Legislature.
