For Gov’s Council

In a perfect world the Governor’s Council, a remnant of Colonial times, would simply cease to exist.

Its eight districts correspond to no others in the state and, therefore, those who run and serve do so nearly entirely under the radar screen. The council’s most important remaining function — and a critical one it is — is to confirm the governor’s judicial nominees.

But in recent years that has led to some questioning that is nothing short of bizarre.

Earlier this month, for example, Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff, a Gloucester Democrat, asked James Gavin Reardon Jr., a nominee for a superior court judgeship if indeed he is a Roman Catholic and if his faith would influence his decisions from the bench. Duff insisted she had seen religious beliefs “interfere” with decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Even by the exceedingly low standards of Council hearings, it was shocking to hear that kind of inquiry. Reardon respectfully declined to answer.

The good news for voters in that 5th Council District (which includes much of the North Shore, Lawrence and the Lowell area) is that they have a real choice this year in Richard Baker, a West Newbury Republican. A software engineer who now runs his own consulting firm advising on intellectual property and patenting issues, Baker has been active in local government for years.

It’s not simply that Duff’s conduct is egregious, it’s that Baker has the background and the intellect to make a real improvement in the Council’s operations. Similarly, in the 2nd Council

District (which runs as far south as Rehoboth and north to Wayland, and includes parts of Boston and Norfolk and Middlesex counties), Republican Brad Williams of West Roxbury would be a muchneeded replacement for incumbent Robert Jubinville of Milton, an old-school pol whose rantings about non-issues have grown increasingly tiresome. Like his recent hissy fit about a nominee for the Supreme Judicial Court being prepped during a “mock hearing.”

Williams, an investment adviser, actually believes the Council ought to stick to the rather important job it has been given, vetting judicial nominees, and not venture into legislative matters. What a concept!

The Herald is pleased to endorse Baker and Williams for Governor’s Council.