Statement From Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

April 17, 2023

Today, Democrats in Albany embraced a Justice for Chief Judge who just last month, wrote the opinion freeing a rapist from prison.

This whole process –from the disgraceful way that Justice LaSalle’s nomination was handled, to the law that allowed the Governor to advance 2 nominees from the same list – has highlighted that the Democrats care more about redistricting than victims.

We saw progressive leftist legislators block the nomination of the highly qualified Justice LaSalle – who would have been the first Latino Chief Justice – because they want an activist judge rather than an independent judge.

This decision – which should alarm every law abiding New Yorker – falls in line perfectly with what has become the mantra of Democrats in New York – criminals over victims.

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