Hon. Loretta Rush named semi-finalist for Indiana Supreme Court

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Tippecanoe County Juvenile Court Judge Loretta Rush has been named a semi-finalist for Indiana's Supreme Court.

Judge Rush was publicly interviewed by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission for just over 20 minutes Wednesday afternoon.  The Commission is chaired by Chief Justice Brent E. Dickson and also includes three attorneys and three citizens.

If appointed, Rush would be Indiana's 108th justice.

Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr. announced he was retiring in April.

During her interview, Judge Rush spoke of the technological inroads Tippecanoe County has made and how she would like to further open up the courtroom.

"I think sometimes our branch of government is the least transparent and the more that we open it up and become more transparent, the more the public will have trust in what we are doing," said Rush.

"I think it makes us more accountable as a judiciary and increases public trust in our system."

A total of 10 semi-finalists were named out of 22 candidates.

Monticello Attorney Karen Orr was also interviewed but was not named a semi-finalist.

Semi-finalists will be interviewed again on August 8 and 9.  After deliberations, the Commission will vote to send three finalists to Governor Mitch Daniels.  The Governor will appoint the new justice within 60 days of receiving the list of finalists.

The complete list of finalists:

1. Hon. Cale J. Bradford, Indiana Court of Appeals
2. Hon. Frances M. Gull, Allen Superior Court
3. Ms. Erin Reilly Lewis, Indianapolis
4. Ms. Andrielle M. Metzel, Indianapolis
5. Hon. Steven R. Nation, Hamilton Superior Court 1
6. Hon. Loretta H. Rush, Tippecanoe Superior Court 3
7. Mr. Geoffrey G. Slaughter, Indianapolis
8. Hon. Marianne L. Vorhees, Delaware Circuit Court 1
9. Hon. Mary G. Willis, Henry Circuit Court 1
10. Mr. John P. Young, Indianapolis