As if you need further proof that the system is horribly broken:
Portsmouth could lose one of three judges for its busy General District Court because of a feud between local state legislators over who should be appointed to an opening on the bench.
The Virginian-Pilot editorial board today urged the legislators to “set aside shenanigans.” What? Politics is all shenanigans. Until and unless we change the selection process, it will continue to be. To call for it to be set aside in this instance is like expecting the sun to shine on a rainy day. It ain’t happening.
The situation in Portsmouth is simply the latest in the ongoing saga of judgeships. The process is broken. And the Pilot does a disservice to its readers by failing to acknowledge that and pressing for change.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Judge selection is a topic of regular interest for litigators. When I encounter attorneys from other states where judge’s are elected, they consider direct election a plight.
In other states the other method of appointment is generally made by the governor, and then voted on by one or both houses.
Our system has judges primarily determined by the legislature. Local legislators have significant deference in how those judges are selected. But they usually receive input from local bar associations.
This is basically the worst system of judge selection, except for all the others.
Nonetheless, if anyone has any suggestions, have at it.
How about taking a personality test?
Was it just me, or did anyone else find it interesting that the Democratic Senator in Portsmouth was willing to support the Chair of the Republican Party for Judge over one of her Democratic Delegates law partners (A democrat)??????