New York's Senate confirms Rowan Wilson as the state's first Black chief judge

New York’s Senate confirms Rowan Wilson as the state’s first Black chief judge

New York's Senate confirmed Rowan Wilson as the State's first Black chief judge Tuesday, April 18, 2023 two months after lawmakers dealt Governor Kathy Hochul a political defeat by rejecting her initial nominee for the top court post.

Mr. Wilson has been an associate judge of the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, since 2017. Ms. Hochul tapped him earlier this month to lead the seven-member high court and oversee the state's judicial system. The confirmation vote comes after months of conflict between Hochul and her fellow Democrats in control of the Senate over the direction of the court.

“Judge Wilson has proven himself to be one of the most thoughtful, well-written and persuasive jurors in the nation, and in the history of the Court of Appeals,” state Sen Brad Hoylman-Sigal, chair of the state's Senate Judiciary Committee, said on the floor.

Mr. Wilson's nomination came after Ms. Hochul's first choice, Hector LaSalle, faced a barrage of criticism from liberal senators and their allies, who criticised decisions he made as an appeals judge.

In an unprecedented move, the Senate rejected LaSalle in February. LaSalle would have been the first Latino to lead the high court.

Mr. Wilson, 62, is more palatable to liberals, who have praised the Harvard Law School graduate's record on civil rights, labour and environmental issues.

Mr. Wilson also dissented in a top court ruling last year that rejected new congressional maps that had widely been seen as favouring Democrats.