Governor Markell has nominated New Castle Recorder of Deeds Diane Clarke Streett to the Superior Court.
Streett, a graduate of Cornell Law School who currently is New Castle County Register of Wills, will be taking the position on the bench left by retiring Judge John E. Babiarz Jr. Before being elected Register of Wills for New Castle County in 2001, Street was a state prosecutor in New York, a federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., a public defender in Delaware for 10 years and Wilmington City Solicitor. She also worked as an assistant legal counsel to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives judiciary committees.
Based on this resume, she undoubtedly has the experience to be a fine judge. Of course, I expect Republicans to scream JUDICIAL ACTIVISM!!!!!!!!!! shortly. Why?
“Diane has been at the forefront of change during her more than 30 years practicing law. If confirmed, I am sure she will bring that same record of achievement to our Superior Court,” [said Governor Markell]. Streett, in a prepared statement, said she was honored that Markell selected her. “I have spent my career trying to make a difference in the lives of others. If I am confirmed, I will work hard to make a difference for Delawareans as a member of Superior Court.”
And when Nancy Willing reacted to the nomination on Delaware Way this afternoon, she said: “Diane Clarke Streett is everything I would wish in an officer of the court. She is humble, respectful of her constituents, smart, hardworking and just a decent soul through and through.”
Change? Making a difference in the lives of others????? A decent soul? Nancy Willing approved????? JUDICIAL ACTIVISM!!!!!!
Of course, the GOP is sh*t out of luck given our state law enforcing a nonsensical partisan balance in our courts, since Markell has to appoint a Democrat to replace Babiarz. While I oppose enforcing a partisan balance on our courts (I thought courts are supposed to be non partisan anyway?), at least we don’t elect our Superior Court and Supreme Court judges like in Pennsylvania.