Ken Cuccinelli Declines Va. Supreme Court Nod

RICHMOND, VA — Former gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli is no longer in the running for a Va. Supreme Court vacancy.

Cuccinelli had been selected Tuesday by a senate committee, and appeared likely to win the appointment. But legislative leaders announced Wednesday that they were moving on.

Frustrations over the Supreme Court vacancy have gone both ways in Richmond, beginning with a recess appointment by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe that enraged Republicans in the legislature.

Progressive groups quickly organized #KeepKenOut in the hours following Tuesday's vote by a Senate judicial panel.

“We can think of no one less qualified than Ken Cuccinelli to serve on Virginia’s Supreme Court,” said Progress Virginia executive director Anna Scholl. “Cuccinelli’s long record of attacking Virginia women, LGBT individuals, immigrants, scientists, workers, and more clearly demonstrates he is incapable of putting aside his radical ideology.”

At first surprised by the offer, Cuccinelli said in a statement Wednesday that now wasn't the right time.

According to The Washington Post, the legislature has swiftly moved ahead with another selection: Appeals Court Judge Stephen R. McCullough.

Lt. Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said in a statement that the Senate needs to reject such a divisive nomination.

“We constantly hear about supposed efforts to politicize our courts, and I cannot think of a more cynical and obvious attempt to politicize the judicial process than to nominate Ken Cuccinelli to the Supreme Court of Virginia," Northam said.

Photo: Gage Skidmore