Governor Matt Blunt will soon choose from among three members of the Missouri Court of Appeals for his first appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court.

The Appellate Judicial Commission selected the finalists from among 30 applicants to replace Ronnie White, who recently resigned from the court to go into private practice.

The finalists are Judge Nannette Baker of the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District and Western District Judges Patricia Breckenridge and Ronald Holliger. Baker and Holliger were both appointed to their current posts by Democratic governors while Breckenridge is a Republican appointee.

White was the first and only black member of the state high court. Baker is the lone African-American among the finalists. Blunt has 60 days to make his selection. If he fails to do so, the commission will make the appointment.

UPDATE: Blunt’s office today requested information on all the applicants. Here’s the press release…

Gov. Matt Blunt’s office today requested any transcripts, notes and information gathered by the Appellate Judicial Commission as they narrowed a field of 30 applicants to a three member panel. The request is part of the exhaustive process in motion to learn more about and evaluate the legal work of the three names submitted to the governor as candidates for the Missouri Supreme Court.

“As you might imagine, details from these interviews will be very helpful to our office as we begin our own exhaustive interview process,” wrote Henry Herschel, General Counsel for the governor in a letter. “I am sure you will agree that any interview transcripts, audio recordings, notes, format, length and any additional information from these interviews will be helpful to us as the governor prepares to make this important decision.”

The office has requested:

• Any transcripts and/or audio recordings and notes from every interview with every applicant
• Information on meeting and interview times, locations and length
• Details of notice provided regarding all commission meetings and interviews
• Insight into the questions presented to the applicants including whether they were standardized and what questions were included or given priority

The governor’s office acknowledged receipt of the applications submitted by the three candidates, but noted it did not include this information. Once the governor’s office receives the documents, they will compile this information with all available records, research and communications to aide the governor in making his final decision.

In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to evaluate the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.

Governor Matt Blunt has reappointed Wayman F. Smith (D), 66 of St. Louis City, to the Board of Regents of Harris-Stowe State University.

Smith is a former St. Louis alderman and an attorney with Smith Partnership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Monmouth University and a juris doctorate from Howard University. His reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on July 28, 2012.

Blunt also announced the appointment of:

Dr. John B. Heskett, 59 of St. Louis, to the Mental Health Transformation Working Group. His appointment is for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Darrell B. Roegner, 67 of Lake St. Louis, to the Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission. Roegner is regional president of Premier Bank. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on March 3, 2008.

And Jimmy Dale Morris, 72 of Springfield, to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Morris is owner of Morris Oil Company, Inc. His appointment is for a term ending on Nov. 15, 2007.

From PresidentReed.com:

ST. LOUIS — President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed today announced Richard K. Gaines as his selection to the three-member team charged with leading the Transitional School District of the City of St. Louis.

Gaines is a well-known local businessman and former president of the St. Louis Board of Education.

“I am pleased to be able to appoint someone to this board with as much knowledge and experience as Richard,” said President Reed.

“His years of experience with public education in this city will serve this body well. His understanding of the budgetary process will also help the Transitional Board move the district back onto solid financial ground.

“Richard graduated from Vashon High School, his children graduated from St. Louis Public Schools, and the citizens of this city elected him to serve on the school board. I am confident that Richard will represent the people and parents of our city and will do what is best for the children of St. Louis.”

Gaines is a lifelong resident of St. Louis and a graduate of Vashon High School (1965). He is married to Anne-Marie Clarke and has two daughters, both graduates of St. Louis Public Schools.

He was first elected to the School Board in 1983 and served as President from 1987-88.

Richard Gaines is President and CEO of Richard K. Gaines, Inc. and Vice-President of Daniel and Henry Company.

Click here to download the press release and more info on Richard K. Gaines

*Lewis Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates

In this exclusive PubDef video from June 2006, Derio Gambaro and the other then-candidates for the State Senate discuss their views on St. Louis Public Schools.

Gambaro: “I’ve always fought for St. Louis Public Schools. I will continue to fight the fight for St. Louis Public Schools. But until they receive full accreditation, it’s imperative that we give our parents and our children choices in their education.”

As you know, SLPS is scheduled to be stripped ov its accreditation in one week.

Gov. Matt Blunt will announce the appointment of Gambaro to the State Board of Education this afternoon.

State Senator Jeff Smith, whose sponsorship is needed for Derio Gambaro to be confirmed in January, issued the following statement today:

“Derio Gambaro was a worthy opponent in our race for the 4th District Senate seat and a dedicated public servant during his tenure in the state House.

“However, given the specificity with which I outlined my substantive concerns about the Governor’s earlier nominee, I am disappointed that the administration chose to ignore rather than address the issues I raised. It is unfortunate as well that the administration refused my repeated offers for consultation on this appointment, particularly since I worked throughout the session in a bipartisan fashion on education issues.

“Since it is important that the city be represented on the State board, I will look forward to learning more about Mr. Gambaro’s educational philosophy and qualifications.”

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