Like it or not, politics could play a role in the selection of the next Indiana chief justice. Chief Justice Brent Dickson announced last week that he's stepping aside to resume his role as an associate justice. A seven-member commission will meet Aug. 6th to select the Indiana Supreme Court's new leader from among the four other justices. Three commission members are appointed by the governor. Two of the current members were appointed by Gov. Mike Pence and one was named by then Gov. Mitch Daniels. Experts say the system is designed to avoid politics, but some say politics can still creep into the process. If it does, the choice could be particularly important for Pence, a conservative Republican mentioned as a possible 2016 presidential hopeful. Pence's office declined to comment.
