As the descendant of slaves in North Carolina, Lubbie Harper has come a long way.
On Wednesday, he was approved for a seat on Connecticut's highest court - the State Supreme Court - by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Harper was approved by 124 to 16 in the House as some lawmakers were concerned that he provided a crucial vote in favor of gay marriage when the State Supreme Court voted 4-3 in favor of changing the law.
He was approved by the Senate, 24 to 7, with four senators absent and one, Republican Joe Markley, recusing himself because his lawsuit against the state Department of Public Utility Control is headed for the high court.
Several lawmakers spoke in praise of Harper's compelling life story and his skills as a jurist. They lauded his work to diversify the judicial branch, his legal acumen and his willingness to give back to the community.
But one senator, Kevin Witkos, said Harper's vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage constituted judicial meddling in what Witkos says is the domain of the legislature.
"Today I am rising in opposition,'' said Witkos, a Republican from Canton. "That is not due to [Harper's] qualifications...The legislative branch of government has the sole power and authority by the state Constitiution to enact the laws of this state. ... In my opinion, Judge Harper overstepped his role as a member of the judiciary. ... I can't and won't support activist judges.''
In the House, state Rep. Al Adinolfi had cited the gay marriage case in voting against Harper as a member of the judiciary committee last week, and he voted again Wednesday against Harper. As a member of the state Appellate Court, Harper served briefly on the Supreme Court for the gay marriage case because some justices had recused themselves from the case.
None of the 16 House members, including three Democrats, who voted against Harper on Wednesday had raised any objections on the floor of the House.
A registered Democrat, Harper has been nominated for judicial posts by two Republican governors and now a Democratic governor, Dannel P. Malloy.
At 68, Harper will have a relatively short tenure - about 19 months - as a full member of the Supreme Court, where the mandatory retirement age is 70. One of the newest senators, Republican Leonard Suzio, said he was concerned about an appointment of such short duration.
"We don't want to see the court become a revolving door,'' Suzio said on the Senate floor.
In introducing Harper's nomination in the House, state Rep. Gerald Fox, the Democratic co-chairman of the judiciary committee, said, "His life story is one that has served as an inspiration to many of Connecticut's residents.''
State Rep. John Hetherington, a New Canaan Republican who serves as the committee's ranking member, said he was aware that some lawmakers had objections to Harper, but he said that the nominee's overall record showed that he should be approved.
"He has led a life to be admired and a career that is distinguished,'' said Hetherington, an attorney who attended Yale Law School. "We have an independent judiciary. It's important that we respect that. ... The independence is what makes our judicial system the great support of justice that it is.''
House Republican leader Larry Cafero said he might disagree with some of Harper's decisions from the bench, but he said that Harper is competent, fair, and has a "judicial demeanor that is second to none'' on the bench.
"Lubbie Harper is the real deal,'' Cafero said. "Lubbie Harper learned about law and justice - not just from books - but from his life.''
State Rep. Douglas McCrory, a Hartford Democrat, said that Harper is "a great judge'' and an example of a success story in the judiciary.
Soon after Harper was approved in the House, his nomination moved immediately to the Senate, where the debate started at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.