California: Gavin Newsom Picks Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero As First Latina Supreme Court Justice Ahead November Reelections

California Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero to be the State Supreme Court Chief Justice as incumbent Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye finishes her term in January 2023.

Should she be confirmed as Chief Justice, Patricia Guerrero would be the first-ever Latina Supreme Court Justice in the State of California, marking another first that she has recently ticked off upon being confirmed as an Associate Justice.

Supposedly, Guerrero is among the four incumbent Associate Justice up for reelection this coming November, but with Governor Newsom's nomination, she would be in an entirely different position.

Governor Gavin Newsom Nominates Patricia Guerrero as California's First-Ever Latina Chief Justice

In a press release from his website, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve as California's next Chief Justice.

Guerrero will be replacing departing Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the first Filipino-American Chief Justice in California, when her term ends in January 2023.

"Justice Guerrero has established herself as a widely respected jurist with a formidable intellect and command of the law and deep commitment to equal justice and public service," Newsom said in a statement.

Associate Justice Guerrero is not new to setting the benchmark for Latinos in public service. When she was appointed as Associate Justice, she was the first Latina to serve on the California Supreme Court.

But the road for Guerrero to become Chief Justice is quite a long road ahead. The Commission on Judicial Appointments should first confirm her nomination before the voters approve it in the November general elections.

"Humbled" with the nomination that Governor Newsom has announced, Guerrero promised to continue Chief Justice Sakauye's plans on expanding equal access to justice and creating a fairer justice system for all Californians, the Associated Press reports.

Should the confirmation be successful on both stages, then Patricia Guerrero would be California's first-ever Latina to be Supreme Court Chief Justice, and the third woman in the state's history to assume the highest position on the high court.

Aside from Associate Justice Guerrero, Governor Newsom picks Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans to fill in the vacated post that Guerrero would be leaving should she be confirmed in November.

If that comes to fruition, Judge Kelli Evans would be the first openly queer woman and African-American to serve on the court.

Incumbent California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Sakauye Steps Down

Like exiting Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero and Alameda County Judge Kelli Evans are both registered democrats.

CJ Sakauye has announced last month that she would be stepping down from her position and would not be seeking reelection in the November Supreme Court elections.

The 62-year-old departing Chief Justice affirmed that after her term, she would not be pursuing politics anytime soon.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ivan Korrs

WATCH: Governor Newsom Nominates Justice Patricia Guerrero to Serve as the First Latina on CA Supreme Court - From California Governor Gavin Newsom