Diaz, Monserrate Echo Paterson on Judicial Diversity

A day after David Paterson criticized the slate of candidates he can choose from to replace Chief Judge Judith Kaye, State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate have released statements saying they, too, are unhappy about the lack of diversity.

In a statement released this afternoon, Monserrate said, “I am appalled that the Commission did not properly consider the countless number of qualified women and Latinos serving as judges throughout our State.”

He added, “It is deeply troubling that Latinos, the largest and fastest-growing population in our State, are underrepresented at all levels of government in New York State."

Last night, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. said New York State Court of Appeals Judge Carmen Ciparick, “a Puerto Rican woman who is certainly qualified, has been overlooked” for the position. Diaz said, “the racial undertones in this State are glaring, and the opportunities for women and Puerto Ricans and other so-called minorities are clearly not equal to the opportunities of other New Yorkers.”

The list of candidates were recommended by the New York State Commission on Judicial Nominations.

As Liz wrote earlier today, Paterson may be interested in appeasing the "Gang of Three," which includes Diaz, and used to include Monserrate when there were four.