Special to the Daily Record
Gov. Jeb Bush has interviewed the five finalists for the upcoming opening on the Florida Supreme Court and expects to make a decision within a few weeks.
Bush and his top staff members met last week with each of the candidates, who are hoping to replace retiring Justice Major B. Harding of Jacksonville.
Bush met individually for about 30 minutes in a conference room with each of the five. Attendees included Bush’s chief in-house counsel, Charles Canady, and his former general counsel, Carol Licko.
The candidates are Second District Court of Appeal Judge Chris W. Altenbernd, First District Court of Appeal Judge Peter D. Webster of Tallahassee, First District Court of Appeal Judge Philip J. Padovano of Tallahassee, Pensacola Circuit Judge Kenneth B. Bell; and Miami lawyer Raoul Cantero.
Bush is expected to make his choice within several weeks, amid much speculation that he’s interested in appointing the first Hispanic to the high court. Business and conservative groups who view the current court — all Democratic appointees — as decidedly liberal are pushing the governor to choose a candidate with conservative views.
Bush, who backed a law that gives him greater influence over the selection of judicial candidates, last summer told the judicial nominating panels that come up with the lists of finalists that he wants candidates who share his philosophies.
But those interviewed this week said the governor didn’t pose a litmus test.
‘’The governor asked me the majority of questions and they were fair,’’Altenbernd told The Miami Herald. ``No one asked how I would rule on a specific case.’’
The candidates said Bush asked detailed questions.
‘’He’s personally extremely knowledgeable about the process,’’said Webster.
The slate of candidates were the first picked under the new law, and Bush, through a spokeswoman, said he was impressed with the candidates.