Arizona’s Governor Appoints First Latina and Black Justice to State Supreme Court
Originally published by Sejal Govindarao & Gabriel Sandoval for AP News
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday, making the state appellate judge from rural Yuma County the first Latina and first Black person chosen for the state’s high court.
Hobbs’ selection of Cruz marks the first Supreme Court appointment by a Democratic governor since 2005. It also broadens the racial, geographic and political diversity of the seven-member, Republican-dominated court.
“I prioritized an appointee who is not only eminently qualified but also someone who reflects our state and who is committed to making our legal system work for everyday people,” Hobbs said during a news conference to announce her choice. “Of course, I was focused on credentials and experience but also on appointing a justice who will uplift those who need it most.”