On Wednesday, August 24th, Governor Gavin Newsom nominated Justice Patricia Guerrero as the California state’s chief justice. 

Guerrero rewrote history as the first Latina serving as a Supreme Court justice in California. She will get to do it again as her new nomination allows her to replace the retiring seat of Tani Cantil-Sakauye as the court’s chief justice. This would make her the third woman to ever lead the California court, the nation’s largest judicial system. 

Newsom stated in a news conference regarding his reasons for the nomination as being, “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.”

Although Guerrero is in favor, she has to undergo a process of being confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments and a vote by the public to decide the approval. The Commission on Judicial Appointments currently consists of the retiring chief justice, state Attorney General Rob Bonta, and senior justice of the state Court of Appeal Manuel Ramirez. 

Regardless, Guerrero has a well-established background, qualifying for her this position: Guerrero served as a judge on all three levels of California’s judicial system and worked as an attorney for Lantham & Watkin, one of the most prestigious law firms globally. However, she will be under immense pressure as “she leads not just the court, but the entire judicial branch,” according to David Ettinger, At the Laturn. 

Since taking office, Newsom has prioritized the appointment of justices from diverse backgrounds. Notably, he is a man of his words.