Kwon Confirmation Hearing Video Archive

On March 22, the Senate Judiciary Committee considered the nomination of long-time Christie associate Phillip Kwon to be an associate justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court. Ultimately, the nomination was defeated with the Republicans voting in lock-step and in favor, while all but one Democrat voted in opposition. Kwon's defeat was based on some unexplained financial transactions pertaining to his wife's business, and the long-term tradition of political balance on the court.

The links below connect to the video of public testimony (in chronological order) that was presented before the Committee. The Committee also heard about an hour of testimony in a private, confidential session.

• Kwon's Opening Statement
• Questions for the nominee from Chairman Nicholas Scutari
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Nia Gill with follow-up from Senators Sarlo and Scutari
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Loretta Weinberg
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Kevin O'Toole
• Continuation of Senator O'Toole's questioning with follow up questions from Chairman Scutari
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Linda Greenstein with follow up from Chairman Scutari
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Nellie Pou
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Gerald Cardinale
• Follow-up questions from Senator Loretta Weinberg
• Follow-up questions from Senator Nellie Pou, Things get exciting at the 18:12 mark when Senator Scutari remarks about the lack of openness on the part of the Christie administration in providing data. Senator Kevin O'Toole's rebuttal is vociferous. Senator Nia Gill calms things down with her "dispassionate reasoning", but Senator Gerald Cardinale explodes, defending the Kwon family's settlement with the court for their financial dealings.
• Questions for the nominee from Senator Michael Doherty
• Senator Ron Rice, representing the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, testifies.
• Public testimony on the nominee from Carolee Adams of the Eagle Forum of NJ, Ed Richard of the AFL-CIO, and John Tomicki of the League of American Families.
• Public testimony on the nominee from Dena Mottola Jaborska of NJ Citizens Action and Matt Shapiro of the NJ Tenants Organization.
• Senators' closing remarks and the vote.

• Interview with Senator Weinberg immediately after the vote.