Hector LaSalle Faces Senate Judiciary Hearing: Live Updates

HECTOR LASALLE, Governor Kathy Hochul's embattled pick for chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, faces a hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. While New York's Senate has historically waved chief judge nominees through, LaSalle, a former prosecutor and current judge on a mid-level appeals court, has become a controversial choice to lead New York's highest court. Catching backlash for what opponents perceive as his conservative judicial record and pulling support from a coalition that wants to see the state's first Latino chief judge, LaSalle now faces steep odds in the legislature — if Senate leaders choose to bring his nomination to a floor vote.

Today, the Judiciary Committee will conduct a hearing on LaSalle's candidacy, concluding with a vote in which he must receive the support of 10 out of 19 committee members. New York Focus senior reporter Sam Mellins is in Albany to attend the hearing. Follow below for live updates.