Rhode Island Republicans are faulting state Supreme Court nominee and Superior Court Judge Melissa Long for not stepping aside from hearing a case challenging Gov. Gina Raimondo’s authority to close gyms and other establishments as COVID cases surge. Last Friday, Long ruled in Raimondo’s favor in granting a temporary restraining order closing Maxx Fitness Clubzz, which had defied the governor’s order halting workouts at gyms during the state's two-week “pause.” (The pause has since been extended an additional week.) At the time, Long was among the candidates vying to be selected by Raimondo as a nominee to the high court, a lifetime position with a $189,424 base salary.