TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is asking the state’s highest court to throw out a lawsuit challenging his authority to appoint three new justices to the state’s Supreme Court.
Age limits are forcing three justices to retire on the day Scott is scheduled to leave the governor’s office. This month Scott asked a nominating commission to start accepting applications. He also said he would try to reach an agreement on the picks with the next governor.
The League of Women Voters and Common Cause maintain the picks should be made by Scott’s successor.
Scott’s attorneys Wednesday filed a legal brief that argues the Republican governor should be allowed to move ahead on finding replacement candidates. The brief points out new justices have routinely been selected before a spot on the court is vacant.
