Nominees could boost state Superior Court diversity
Group of 22, including former Hartford mayor Pedro E. Segarra, gain committee’s favorable report
HARTFORD — Former Hartford mayor Pedro E. Segarra is among a group of 22 nominees to the Connecticut Superior Court who were given a joint favorable report by the legislative Judiciary Committee last week after a public hearing. Diversity on the bench has been an ongoing issue in the state and the demographic makeup of the nominees represents a gradual shift to a more representative bench — particularly for Connecticut’s growing Latino population.
The nominations are meant to help fill 38 vacancies in the Connecticut Superior Court. The governor announced the nominees earlier this month from a list of candidates compiled by a bipartisan commission.
“This group of nominees I am forwarding to the legislature today continues this administration’s effort to ensure that the people who are serving as judges in our state reflect the diversity, experience, and understanding of the people who live here,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a press release.
Latino judges are particularly underrepresented in Connecticut as Latinos
“We, as a state, and as a judiciary committee and as a legislature; we’re still grappling with balance and representation on the bench. And I think it’s worthy and advisable for us to have a bench that is reflective of the diversity of our state.” State Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield
make up 17% of Connecticut’s population, but 9% of Superior Court judges. In this context, appointing Segarra and the two other Latina nominees would bring judges slightly more in line with the general population, about two percentage points.
A little over a third of appointed judges in Superior Courts are white men and a third are people of color, according to data provided by the Judicial Branch to CT Insider. Even though the nominees are slightly more diverse than the judges currently serving on the Connecticut Superior Court, their demographic makeup follows the overall trends among appointed judges, according to data from the governor’s office. About two-thirds of the nominees are white, even if the group does include two Black women, a Black man, an Asian American woman and a Middle Eastern woman
White, male judges are also over represented in comparison to the state’s population. Even though the 2020 Census found that white men make up 31% of Connecticut’s population, they are 39% of Superior Court judges. Black judges are also over represented as they make up 15% of Superior Court judges, but 10% of Connecticut’s population.
There are not any Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Native American judges, which is comparable to the wider population as these groups make up less than 1% of the state’s population.
Diversity on the bench has been an ongoing issue in Connecticut, said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield. He has been serving on the Judiciary Committee for 30 years and noted the progress of the state in nominating diverse judges, especially among members of the LGBTQ+ community. During the public hearing, he noted that Segarra and other candidates mentioned their same-sex spouses and the committee did “not blink an eye.”
“We, as a state, and as a judiciary committee and as a legislature; we’re still grappling with balance and representation on the bench. And I think it’s worthy and advisable for us to have a bench that is reflective of the diversity of our state,” he said.
During the meeting of the legislative committee, Segarra received thanks from Sen. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, and an enthusiastic endorsement from Sen. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury.
After receiving joint favorable reviews from the legislative committee, the 22 candidates must be approved by both chambers of the legislature. Rep. Julio Concepción, D-Hartford, is a member of the Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus and highlighted the importance of diversity, particularly in Segarra’s nomination.
“Diversity on the bench is crucial if we are to have a court system that reflects all the communities that rely on fair and open access to the justice system,” he said.”I thank Gov. Lamont for actively seeking to recruit a diverse pool of candidates and, in particular, Pedro Segarra. I have full confidence he will serve with pride, dignity and respect while being sensitive and responsive to the Latino(a) community.”