House Judiciary
chairman applies for
state judgeship

Terrance Tom, who faces voters
again next year, wants to
'keep my options open'

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

House Judiciary Chairman Terrance Tom (D, Kaneohe) today confirmed that he has applied for a state District Court judgeship.

His application, filed about six weeks ago, is intended "just to keep my options open," Tom said.

Tom, up for re-election next year, barely managed to beat attorney Iris Catalani in last year's Democratic primary. Before the 1997 legislative session, Tom survived a bid by Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa), who is now House Hawaiian Affairs chairman, to unseat him as head of the House Judiciary panel.

Tom, 49, also insisted that his application for a District Court judgeship doesn't present a conflict of interest.

As House Judiciary chairman, Tom plays a key role in reviewing the Judiciary's budget, which is submitted by the chief justice. And it is Chief Justice Ronald Moon who selects District Court judges from a list provided by the Judicial Selection Commission.

Candidates for other state judgeships, from Circuit Court up to the Supreme Court, are picked by the governor from the commission's list.

All judges-select must be confirmed by the state Senate.

"Anything can be conflict," Tom said. "But if you look at my record, I have never allowed myself to let anything (that can be perceived as a conflict) affect my decisions on the Judiciary budget. I have too much respect for the process, the Judiciary and Justice Moon to be too small to do something like that."

Tom added that his application may be hurt because he is a politician. "I may be the most qualified, but being in politics can hurt a person. I think it does," he said.

He is keeping his options open, Tom added, because "in my 15 years in office, I've never gone unopposed. Every two years I expect a hard race. I think that's good. It gives people choices."

Since Tom has applied for a judgeship, which is not an elected office, the state's resign-to-run law doesn't apply to him, said Deputy Attorney General Russell Suzuki. The law only applies in instances where an elected official officially files as a candidate for another state office, Suzuki said.

Tom said his main concern right now is the legislative session which convenes next month. That will be the focus of his attention, not his application for a District Court judgeship, he said.