Deal Reached on NJ Supreme Court Stalemate

Gov. Chris Christie has nominated criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Walter Timpone for a seat on the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The nomination is part of a deal the Republican governor made with state Senate Democrats to end a stalemate over the court vacancy.

Christie appeared with Senate President Steve Sweeney at the statehouse Monday to announce the nomination.

Christie had announced earlier this year that he would name Monmouth County judge David Bauman to the top court. But Sweeney vowed Bauman would not get a vote.

Timpone serves as a commissioner on the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission. He also serves as a board attorney to a New Jersey laborers' union.