6 in Race for 3 High Court Posts : Woman, Latino Among Those on Governor’s List

Gov. George Deukmejian today named six judges, including a woman and a Latino, as his top choices to fill three positions on the California Supreme Court.

On the list was Associate Justice John A. Arguelles, 59, of the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, a Deukmejian appointee in 1984. Arguelles’ father was an immigrant from Mexico, and he was reared in East Los Angeles.

Also listed was San Diego County Superior Court Judge Patricia Benke, 37, who was appointed by Deukmejian in 1985.

Others were:

-Associate Justice Hollis Best, 60, of the state 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno, who was appointed by Deukmejian in 1984.

-Associate Justice David N. Eagleson, 62, of the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, who was appointed to the court by Deukmejian in 1984.

-Associate Justice Marcus M. Kaufman, 57, of the 4th District Court of Appeal in San Bernardino. He was appointed by Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1969.

-Associate Justice James B. Scott, 58, of the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco. He was appointed by Reagan in 1974.

Bar to Review Records

The governor said he intends to nominate three of the judges as soon as their records are reviewed by the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees.

The seats were opened by the Nov. 4 election defeat of Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird, and Justices Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin. All three were appointees of former Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

“I believe there exists broad respect for the ability and temperament that each of these distinguished judges has demonstrated during his or her legal career,” Deukmejian said in announcing the names.

“I hope to complete this process in an expeditious fashion to minimize any disruption in the functioning of the court, but consistent with my pledge to appoint new justices who will contribute to enhance confidence in the Supreme Court.”

Deukmejian already tapped Justice Malcolm Lucas, his first appointee to the court, to replace Bird. Lucas and two other justices on the ballot were overwhelmingly confirmed by voters.

The others were Justice Edward Panelli, Deukmejian’s second appointee, and Justice Stanley Mosk, who has served longest on the court, having been appointed in 1964 by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Sr. Justice Allen Broussard, the only appointee of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. still on the court, was not on the ballot.