"As a legislator, she would have no undue influence on a sitting judge..."

That might be true, Charles, if she wasn't the chairwoman of the committee that controls the court's budget.  A sitting judge understands the implications of his budget being gutted.  

There's also some questions about her proposed amendment to the crime bill that might have benefitted the 18 year old son of a constituent who was charged with molesting a 12 year old.  That's not a simple letter to the court, it's something far worse.   

Compassion is fine.  Abusing one's political power is called 'corruption'.