Deadline nears for Delaware Supreme Court applicants

DOVER, Del. (AP) — The deadline is approaching for anyone hankering to be chief justice of Delaware.

Applications from candidates seeking to replace retiring Chief Justice Leo Strine Jr. are due by noon Friday. Delaware’s Judicial Nominating Commission will then interview the applicants.

Applicants will be considered simultaneously for a potential derivative vacancy on the Supreme Court if one of the sitting justices is nominated to be chief justice.

Strine announced his planned resignation in July, less than halfway through his 12-year term. He plans to step down Oct. 30.

The state Senate must confirm judicial appointees and has scheduled a special session for Nov. 7.

Before becoming chief justice, Strine served as legal counsel to then-Gov. Tom Carper and spent more than 15 years as a judge on Delaware’s Chancery Court.