Governor seeks JNC applicants.

Gov. Jeb Bush is seeking a few good men and women to help him select judges for our state's courts.

There are a total of 26 state judicial nominating commissions: a statewide Supreme Court JNC, five district court of appeal JNCs, and 20 circuit court JNCs. There also is a statewide nominating committee for judges of compensation claims.

Judicial nominating commissions play a vital role in our state judicial system. In recommending judicial nominees, the men and women who comprise these JNCs help the governor discharge his constitutional obligation to fill vacancies arising in the trial courts and to appoint judges of the Supreme Court, the district courts of appeal, and the court of compensation claims.

On June 30, the terms of three of the members of each of the 26 JNCs will expire. The Florida Bar will have the opportunity to recommend nominees to Gov. Bush to fill one of the rotating vacancies on each JNC. In addition, the governor will appoint two other persons for the remaining vacancies. Each nominee will serve a four-year term, commencing July 1. There also will be vacancies on the statewide nominating commission for judges of compensation claims.

Since taking office in 1999, Gov. Bush has appointed 210 judges. Of these judges, 61 are women; 24 are African-American; and 24 are Hispanic. The governor also has sought geographic diversity in his appointments. It is fitting that Florida has a diverse judiciary, given the diversity of our state's population.

Crucial to a diverse judiciary is having diverse nominating commissions throughout every circuit and district of our state. Bringing a variety of perspectives from the legal profession and the public helps our JNCs appreciate the many different qualities that go into being a good judge.

Gov. Bush looks for judicial nominees who not only have excellent credentials and integrity but who also understand the role of the judge and bring the panoply of life's experiences to the bench. His task is not an easy one. It...