The Judicial Nominating Commission on Nov. 12 selected interviewees for three prized Superior Court seats, including that of presiding justice, administrator of the state’s trial court.

The panel, which helps vet state judges, named these three candidates to replace Presiding Justice Alice B. Gibney, who retired at the end of October:

Superior Court Judge R. David Cruise, Gov. Gina Raimondo’s former legislative director . He was sworn in as judge by Gov. Dan McKee in 2021.

Judge Richard A. Licht, a former state senator, lieutenant governor and lobbyist who led the state Department of Administration under Gov. Lincoln Chafee. He was sworn onto the bench in 2014 by Chafee.

Judge Joseph A. Montalbano, former Democratic state Senate president. Montalbano was sworn in as a Superi

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