Remember the situation a few weeks ago with Tracy Thorne-Begland, the Virginia prosecutor who was nominated for a state judgeship by Republicans but voted down by bigots in the state legislature because he’s gay? Well now he’s been appointed anyway by the judges on the circuit.
Richmond Circuit Court judges on Thursday appointed prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland to the General District Court bench, filling a vacancy created when the House of Delegates rejected his nomination last month.
Thorne-Begland, 45, will be the first openly gay judge in Virginia when his appointment takes effect July 1. He will occupy the bench in the 13th Judicial District in the Manchester courthouse in South Richmond…
The appointment is a vindication of sorts for Thorne-Begland and his supporters, who argued that his rejection by the GOP-controlled House of Delegates last month was primarily motivated by the fact that he is openly gay.
It is also a bold move for the judges of the Richmond Circuit Court, who know his interim appointment could face political opposition when it comes up for review next year in the legislature.
Thorne-Begland has the support of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who is about as anti-gay as it gets.
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Ace of Sevens
June 20, 2012 at 9:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I got an e-mail from Eugene Delgaudio about how Thorne-Bergland could force gay marriage on Virginia at any time.
MikeMa
June 20, 2012 at 9:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Good news. This should throw the bigots into apoplexy. Lovely. I wonder if they can find a way to blame Obama for this?
Gov McDonnell’s support is also a big deal but while he is anti-gay, he is well below the level of a Bryan Fischer or a Rick Santorum. Just sayin.
slc1
June 20, 2012 at 9:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Re MikeMa @ #2
Not to mention William Marshall, world class bigot in the Virginia House of Delegates who led the charge against Thorne-Begland. Also one should not forget Virginia Attorney General Koo Koo Ken Cuccinelli.
eric
June 20, 2012 at 10:02 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The real question now becomes: what happens when the recess appointment runs out.
My guess is that he’ll keep his job unless some high-profile gay rights case lands on his desk in the interim. If that happens, any ruling in favor of gay rights is going to put his appointment in jeopardy. Even a rock-solid one – this is not really about the quality of his jurisprudence, its about conservative VA senators not wanting to be seen endorsing a judge who makes a pro-gay-rights ruling.
slc1
June 20, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Re eric @ #4
To be fair here, the vote to deny confirmation of the nomination occurred in the Virginia House of Delegates, not in the Virginia State Senate.
dan4
June 20, 2012 at 9:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
@3. The guy’s name is Bob Marshall. William Marshall was the star of Blacula (yes, that is a real movie).
slc1
June 21, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Re dan4 @ #6
Mr. dan4 is absolutely correct and accurate. Delegate Marshall’s first name is Bob.