NJ Senate confirms 2 to state Supreme Court

TRENTON (AP) — The New Jersey Senate has reconfirmed the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

Stuart Rabner will be eligible to serve for 17 years before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The Democrat was first nominated by former Gov. Jon Corzine.

The Senate also confirmed Lee Solomon for an initial seven-year term.

The Republican nominee is a former Board of Public Utilities president who is a judge in Camden County.

Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney struck a deal to move each of their choices forward.

A seventh seat on the high court remains vacant.

Solomon is the third jurist selected by Christie to fill a seat on the court.

A few Republicans said they opposed Rabner's renomination because of progressive prior court decisions.

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