First Latina Nominated for California Supreme Court

An appeals court judge who is the daughter of Mexican immigrants was nominated Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom as the first Latina to serve on the California Supreme Court.

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Justice Patricia Guerrero, 50, grew up in the agricultural region of the Imperial Valley and has worked as a federal prosecutor, a law firm partner, a superior court judge and now sits on the 4th District Court of Appeals.

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“Her extraordinary track record and nomination to serve as the first Latina judge on our state’s highest court is an inspiration to all of us and a testament to the California Dream’s promise of opportunities for all to thrive, regardless of background or zip code. ”, Newsom said in a statement.

If his nomination is confirmed, Guerrero would fill the vacancy that opened in October when Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar stepped down to become president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Cuellar was nominated to the court by former Governor Jerry Brown.

The seven-member court is currently made up of four justices nominated by Democrats and two who were nominated by Republicans. Another Brown nominee, Justice Leondra Kruger, is being considered by President Joe Biden to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the nation’s Supreme Court after he retires.

The nomination was celebrated by activist groups that pressured Newsom to appoint a Latino person after Cuellar announced he was leaving the court in September. Guerrero emerged at that time as a possible candidate to fill the vacancy.

Diversity on the court has been a priority for Newsom. In 2020, she nominated the first openly gay judge, Martin Jenkins, who is the third black person to serve on the court.

Guerrero said in a statement that she was “extremely honored” to be selected and, if confirmed, “would have a positive impact on the lives of Californians across the state.”

“I didn’t get here alone,” Guerrero said in a video. “I stand on the shoulders of my parents and grandparents, who came to this country in search of better opportunities for their children. I think it’s important for people to see that…they can achieve whatever dreams they want with opportunity and hard work.”

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Source: Elcomercio

Deshawn