Commission recommends Schultz to governor, but not before Neumann attacks its integrity

Gov. Bill Richardson has only Democrat Lisa Schultz to consider for appointment to the district court vacancy created by the death of Silvia Cano-Garcia.

Republican Rita Nuñez Neumann was the other applicant to appear today before a judicial nominating commission that opted to recommend only Schultz. The decision came after Neumann attacked the commission during her interview, saying the system favors Democrats and that, in the past 12 years, a commission in Doña Ana County has never recommended a Republican applicant to the governor.

Neumann said that made other qualified Republicans afraid to apply for judgeships, because their opponents in elections can use against them the fact that they didn’t get past the commission.

“It is used as a political sword against an opponent, and that is wrong,” Neumann said. “…What message does that send to the public? It sends a message that this commission has become a joke.”

Neumann has applied many times, but her name has never been forwarded to the governor.

“I’m a good attorney. I do care. There’s no reason for you not to send my name except there aren’t any Republican votes on this committee – maybe one,” Neumann said. “Sometimes you have to make a last stand, and I believe that’s what I’m doing here.”

Schultz, who will most likely be appointed to the children’s court position, faces Republican Janetta Hicks in November for the right to keep the job. Neumann is facing newly appointed District Judge Fernando Macias, a Democrat, for the other children’s court position in November.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bosson, a member of the commission and a Democrat, pointed out to Neumann that there were nine Democrats and nine Republicans on the commission. Neumann said that was deceptive.

“There are two types of Republicans – those who are Republicans for registration purposes, and those who are Republicans,” Neumann said.

She said there was only one Republican on the commission – Las Cruces attorney William Anderson – who she has ever seen at a Republican event. Anderson, in questioning Neumann, pointed out that the last nominating committee was accused by a Democratic applicant of not sending her name to the governor for consideration because Republicans on the commission hijacked the process.

“Now we’re being criticized by our own party,” Anderson said. “Do you expect the commission to appoint or select someone they truly don’t feel is qualified, despite their party affiliations?

“No, they should not,” Neumann said.

Following the interviews and a closed session, it was Anderson who made the motion to forward only Schultz’s name to the governor. The decision was unanimous.

Neumann said during her interview that she did not expect to be recommended to the governor.

“I realized when I came in here that by doing this I would obviously not be selected,” she said. “But I had to do what I felt was right.”

Schultz said during her interview she was “delighted” to have the opportunity to be considered for a judgeship, and said she is in the process of closing her law practice in anticipation of becoming a judge.

“I have a tremendously solid work ethic, and I’m ready to go,” Schultz said.

She said her philosophy as a children’s court judge would be, “for the safety, welfare and health of the community, to exercise intervention at the earliest age possible to break the cycle.” She spoke extensively about her belief that abuse at an early age leads to juvenile delinquency, and said that abuse must be stopped.

Assuming Richardson appoints Schultz, she will have to begin learning her new job while also campaigning to keep it.