Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she does not know when she will nominate a new justice to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
The seat became vacant in September after former Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned following an investigation that found he arranged a personnel move allowing a close ally to collect nearly $50,000 in state funding amid budget cuts; Ayotte will nominate the replacement and the Executive Council will confirm.
Democrats urged her to wait until the newly elected council, which shifted from a 4‑1 Republican majority to a 5‑0 Democratic majority after the November 2026 elections, takes office in January, but she could nominate before then while the council remains under Republican control.
Incoming councilors Luz Bay, Melanie Levesque and incumbent Karen Liot Hill said they will prioritize scrutiny of Ayotte’s judicial picks, emphasizing a need for accountability after recent ethical scandals involving MacDonald and a justice convicted of criminal solicitation.
Ayotte said her nomination process will remain unchanged, stating she will work with the judicial selection committee to identify the best qualified candidates regardless of the timing.
Source: newhampshirebulletin.com
