Gov. Paterson faults list of seven for state’s chief judge

ALBANY — Fellow Democrats joined Gov. David Paterson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in criticizing the lack of diversity in the short list of candidates to be New York’s next chief judge, citing the absence of women and Hispanics.

Paterson asked Cuomo on Wednesday to investigate legal alternatives, saying he was “outraged” that the Commission on Judicial Nomination could find no qualified women. The 12-member panel submitted a winnowed list of seven candidates Monday from which Paterson by law must choose his nominee by Jan. 15, subject to Senate confirmation.

Assemblyman Peter Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, said he wants the governor to request the resignations of some commission members — who include a few appointed by former Republican Gov. George Pataki — and get a new list of possible judges.