Gov. Doug Ducey tapped an attorney best known for his political views and fights with the government to be the newest justice of the state Supreme Court.
As attorney for the Goldwater Institute, Clint Bolick challenged the authority of the Corporation Commission to force utilities to use more renewable energy, sued on behalf of a spa owner who wanted to use fish for pedicures and disputed the ability of government to take private property. He most recently became involved in representing sevearl lawmakers who are suing over expansion of the state's Medicaid program.
Of his appointee, Ducey said, "He has pushed for decades in support of the United States Constitution and the Arizona Constitution."
Bolick said that being put on the bench does not mean he will not be an advocate. "I think any judge is going to be an advocate for his or her interpretation of the law," he said. "But you're moving from a position of advocating for your client to advocating for the Constitution and the laws."
Bolick also brings a specific judicial philosophy to his new job.
"I am what is referred to as a texturalist. I take the words of the Constitution literally," he explained. "When judges stray from the text of the Constitution and supplant their own ideas like changing the words 'public use' into 'public benefit,' they're amending the Constitution. That, to me, is beyond the scope of proper judicial action."
And Bolick said he's not concerned that, given his background, some people may be keeping tabs on his rulings.
"I'm used to a life of scrutiny. I think that judges should write opinions that people are going to want to read, going to want to argue about and, hopefully, find inspiring. And if I can do that I'll be very proud," Bolick said.