(MSC News)--A Kansas Judge, whose nomination to the state’s second-highest court was pulled by Governor Laura Kelly, is now called on to resign.
Kelly on Tuesday withdrew her nomination of Jeffry Jack to the Kansas Court of Appeals after state Republicans told the Democratic Governor Jack would most likely not be confirmed.
That followed the discovery of Tweets on Jack’s Twitter feed dating back to 2017 critical of President Donald Trump and supportive of abortion rights and gun control. Some of the Tweets reportedly contained profanity.
Rural Hiawatha Republican Senator Dennis Pyle is introducing legislation calling for Jack’s resignation.
In prerecorded audio sent to Kansas media, including MSC News, the First District Senator said Jack’s actions show he’s not fit to serve as a judge. “The withdrawal of Judge Jack's nomination for appellate court was the right move, but his actions demonstrate his lack of qualifications not only for appellate court but for district court as well. Due to these actions, I am requesting legislation calling for his resignation from the bench. It's unacceptable for a sitting judge, who must be seen as unbiased and impartial, to post personal political views on social media."
Pyle said that Jack should resign due to the Tweets. “These actions by Judge Jack are deemed offensive and highly inappropriate for executing the duties of the bench. Should he choose not to withdraw from his position as district judge, then perhaps an appropriate consideration would be impeachment."
Jack, following Kelly’s decision to withdraw him as a nominee, told the Associated Press his tweets were "anti-violence, anti-discrimination and anti-hypocrisy." He said he assumed he was expressing personal opinions to a small group of followers and did not understand that his tweets were accessible to the public.
Jack was also critical of Senate President Susan Wagle for opposing his confirmation to the Kansas Court of Appeals before he had a hearing.
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