'retired' judges retain their bench authority in many jurisdictions. In fact, Constitutionally, a federal judge is a federal judge until he dies, or is impeached or removed. Federal courts currently rely on 'retired' judges to keep the backlog managable.
I understand that the situation is ugly. I knew the background as well.
We need either squeaky clean candidates, or candidates that say: "Here's the thing...."
Because the press is NEVER going to love us, no matter what.
/johnny