Governor's next steps unclear after MacDonald's confirmation rejected

CHERISE: TENSIONS WERE HIGH IN LITTLETON, WHERE THE VOTE TO DENY GORDON MACDONALD THE CHIEF JUSTICE POSITION FELL ALONG PARTY LINES, THE THREE DEMOCRATS ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGAINST THE CONFIRMATION. >> WITH THAT, THE CONFIRMATION FAILS. CHERISE: EACH SIDE POINTING AT THE OTHER AS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. NOW SUNUNU SAYS HE'S PAUSING ALL JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CHAIR MARTIN HONIGBERG TO THE SUPERIOR COURT. >> APPRECIATE YOUR BIAS IN THE SITUATION, BUT I WILL NOT -- >> THAT IS UNFORTUNATE. >> THAT IS CHILDISH. >> THERE COULD BE SOME LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS TO THIS. CHERISE: THAT'S BECAUSE CURRENT CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERT LYNN WILL HIT THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE ON AUGUST 26. >> IF THE SUPREME COURT GOES FORWARD WITH ONLY FOUR JUSTICES INSTEAD OF FIVE, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF TIED VOTES, TIED RULINGS, WHICH MEANS THE CASE OF THE LOWER COURTS WILL STAND. CHERISE: THERE'S ONLY A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH UNTIL LYNN RETIRES AND NO WORD YET ON WHAT SUNUNU'S NEXT STEPS MAY BE. HE'S ONLY SAYING RIGHT NOW HE WON'T PUT ANYONE ELSE BEFORE THE COUNCIL UNTIL THE PROCESS IS DONE FAIRLY. >> WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. THE GOVERNOR MAY COME OUT WITH ANOT

Investigators confirm Trish Haynes case as homicide 2nd victim found after Manchester shooting Executive Council rejects MacDonald's nomination to state Supreme Court No explanation yet for Pence's canceled trip to NH Police search for man accused of failing to register as sex offender Hassan working on bipartisan bill to make Suboxone more accessible Rt. 107 closed after fiery crash in Belmont Manchester police looking for man after woman found shot in doorway Manchester shooting victim says she forgives shooter Watch: Sunny and hot with low humidity today