By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Supporters of the way Missouri picks judges say growing criticism might be part of a national effort to change how judges are selected.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith said last week that national court observers are calling Missouri the center of the storm.
She also said special interest groups might try to change the so-called Missouri plan as part of a larger effort to change similar judicial selection systems in other states.
Former Governor Bob Holden agrees. He was part of a debate on the plan held Monday at St. Louis University.
"I think it's an orchestrated effort across the country to try and minimize the public input and maximize influence by special interest that want to make sure an try and have as much control over the system as possible," Holden said.
Attorney Bill Placke, who argues the system should be changed, says he's not aware of any national effort.
"I'm not any conference calls about any nation-wide strategy. I don't know anyone who is," Placke said.
Placke says he would like to see other states with the Missouri Plan make changes.
In Missouri's system a commission sends judicial nominees to the governor. Many opponents of that system would prefer the governor nominate, and the Senate confirm.