AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Governor Paul LePage did something rare for a Maine Governor — he harshly criticized one of the justices of the Maine Supreme Court.
Justice Jabar has been on the Law Court since 2009, first nominated by Democratic Governor John Baldacci, and nominated by Gov. LePage for a second seven-year term late in 2016. And that’s apparently the issue.
Gov. LePage said he wanted Jabar to leave the court so he could appoint a more conservative justice to replace him. The Governor said Tuesday that Jabar had asked to serve one more year to get his 20 years for retirement, saying he would resign after that. However, the Governor said Jabar has now decided to stay — a decision he said showed "lack of character and an example of dishonesty."
As a result, the Governor said he couldn't appoint a new conservative judge. LePage is angry and said the court needs to be changed.
"It's too liberal. I want it to the center; I’m trying to get the court to the center, so we have a dialogue on both sides of the spectrum," LePage said.
The spokesperson for the court said the Judiciary -- apparently including the judge -- had no comment.
The Governor cannot fire a Supreme Court justice and admitted he could not take any action against Justice Jaba, other than to publicly chastise him.
"And when everything is said and done, he reneged," the Governor said.
Governor LePage has tangled with the Supreme Court several times in the past. Just last month the court ruled against the administration in a case over food stamps for immigrants. In 2015 the court ruled against the Governor in a case involving more than sixty vetoes of bills in the Legislature.
Democratic Speaker of the House Sara Gideon said in a press release she was, "troubled," by the Governor's statements, and said the Judicial Branch of government needs to be independent of the Executive Branch.
Despite the Governor's comments about the Court, he has chosen two new justices during his term in office and nominated three others to continue on the bench, including Justice Jabar.