President Judge Emeritus Stephen J McEwen, Jr., of Pennsylvania's Superior Court has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to chair the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, the Court announced today.
Judge McEwen began service on Superior Court in 1981 and served a five-year term as that court's President Judge. He was named President Judge Emeritus in 2001 and has been a Superior Court senior judge since 2003.
"My colleagues and I have acted with expedition in making this appointment so that the reapportionment process may move forward," said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille. "Judge McEwen is widely respected throughout Pennsylvania and the United States and has served the Commonwealth with high distinction throughout his career. This Court has full confidence in his ability to lead the reapportionment commission with fairness, lending to the forthcoming task his superb problem-solving skills and keen ability to mediate differences."
The Supreme Court's appointment authority is derived from Article II, Section 17(b), of the Pennsylvania Constitution which vests with the Court the responsibility to appoint a chair should the four other Commission members be unable to reach consensus in naming a chair.
During his period of service as Commission Chair, Judge McEwen's service as a senior judge will be suspended.
Chief Justice Castille noted that this is the second, consecutive time that a jurist from the Superior Court has been appointed to chair the Reapportionment Commission. In 1991, Superior Court Senior Judge Frank J. Montemuro, Jr., was appointed to that post by the Supreme Court.
