By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt says he wouldn't mind having the option of picking his own nominees for the state's highest court.
Blunt told reporters at a press conference today that he thinks the three nominees chosen to replace Stephen Limbaugh on the Missouri Supreme Court are all good people.
But when asked about a proposal to allow the governor to reject nominees and pick his own, Blunt thought it was a good idea.
"It would certainly be helpful...I think it would have allowed us to select, in all cases, judges that were more in line with my judicial philosophy," Blunt said.
A judicial commission designed to be non-partisan currently selects all nominees for the State Supreme Court and Appeals courts.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Kenny Hulshof wants to allow the governor to reject up to two slates of nominees, and then pick his own, pending Senate confirmation.
Democratic nominee Jay Nixon says the current system does not need to be changed.