Bangor Daily News: Senate elevates Superior Court judge, long time prosecutor to the bench

By Judy Harrison

Read more here.

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed the nominations of Superior Court Justice Jeffrey L. Hjelm to the Maine Supreme Court and Deputy Attorney General William Stokes to the Maine Superior Court.

Both men were endorsed unanimously last week by the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee after hearings.

“I’m pleased the Senate agreed with the Judiciary Committee and unanimously confirmed the appointments of these two men to Maine’s court system,” Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, the Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, said in a press release. “Maine people are fortunate to have such qualified, honorable justices.”

Hjelm is expected to be sworn in Friday by Gov. Paul LePage. Stokes is scheduled to take his judicial oath next week.

In May, LePage nominated Hjelm, 58, of Camden to replace Jon Levy, who is now a federal judge, on the state supreme court and Stokes, 63, of Augusta to replace Hjelm, whose office is in the Knox County Courthouse.

Levy’s departure allowed LePage to make his first appointment to the state’s highest court.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys from around the state supported both men on July 24. No one opposed their nominations.

LePage has avoided partisan politics in his judicial appointments, according to members of both political parties in Maine.