GOP-controlled exec council confirms MacDonald as High Court chief justice

Gordon A. MacDonald (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Today, after the Executive Council voted to confirm Attorney General Gordon MacDonald as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement:

"Attorney General Gordon MacDonald is one of the most highly qualified individuals ever to serve as Chief Justice and will lead New Hampshire's highest court with distinction," said Governor Chris Sununu. "I would like to thank Councilors (David) Wheeler, (Joseph) Kenney,.(Theodore) Gatsas, and (Janet) Stevens for carefully considering Gordon's outstanding qualifications."

It was MacDonald's second time before the council as a judicial nominee. Gov. Chris Sununu first nominated MacDonald, who has never been a judge but is widely respected in state legal circles, to lead the state's highest court in 2019.

The Executive Council, which was controlled by Democrats at the time, rejected that earlier nomination, citing MacDonald's lack of experience, and his background in Republican politics.

The lone vote against MacDonald today was by the lone Democrat on the council, Cinde Warmington of District 2.