Hanna, Lydon cleared for renomination to bench

The New Jersey Senate today greenlighted Robert Hanna for renomination as a Superior Court Judge, but this was not the judgeship he wanted.

In 2012, Gov. Chris Christie nominated Hanna to serve as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Hanna had been Christie’s second choice for the top court after the Judiciary committee rejected his first choice, but the Senate never considered his nomination.

Christie withdrew his nomination of Hanna in 2014 and instead named him to the Superior Court.

A former federal prosecutor, Hanna served as president of the state Board of Pubic Utilities during superstorm Sandy.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Hanna would serve until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2028.

The Senate panel also approved the renomination of Superior Court Judge Timothy Lydon.

Lydon, a former executive director of the Senate Democratic Majority Office, has served as chief of staff to Rep. John Adler, and as director of cabinet affairs under Gov. Jon Corzine.

If confirmed by the Senate, Lydon would serve on the Superior Court until he reaches the mandatory retirement age in 2042.