Delaware’s Supreme Court has a new justice.
State senators unanimously James T. Vaughn Jr. to take over for retired Justice Carolyn Berger.
“I’d like to thank the governor for the appointment. I’d like to thank the senate for the confirmation. I appreciate it very much and I appreciate the courtesy with which I’ve been treated here,” said Vaughn, who had been serving as Superior Court President Judge before being nominated for the state's highest court by Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware).
"Justice Vaughn is an accomplished and well-respected jurist whose integrity and commitment to justice are second to none," said Markell in a statement following Vaughn's confirmation.
Vaughn is the third Delaware Supreme Court Justice to join the bench this year, following Chief Justice Leo Strine and Justice Karen Valihura.
Former Justice Berger retired after saying Markell didn’t fully consider her to replace outgoing Chief Justice Myron Steele.
Markell's former deputy chief of staff James Collins was also conformed as Chief Information Officer for the Department of Technology and Information.
Sen. Colin Bonini (R-Dover South) says he welcomed the move.
“In modern society, the reality is the overwhelming of our constituents if not now, very near in the future are going to interface with state government through technology and I’m just very excited that James is going to take over what is a tremendously important job,” said Bonini.
"He is not only qualified to serve in this position from his years and depth of experience in the fields of IT and data and information systems security, but also because of his commitment to ensure that Delawareans continue to receive the highest standard of service throughout the state,” said Markell in a statement following the conformation vote.
State senators also approved former public defender Bradley Manning to serve as Superior Court Commissioner.
Collins and Manning were also confirmed unanimously without debate.
