Gov. Susana Martinez has chosen District Court Judge Judith Nakamura of Albuquerque to fill a seat on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Martinez, a Republican, announced the appointment Thursday, calling Nakamura an advocate for public safety who has shown "tremendous leadership" while serving as a judge in New Mexico's Second Judicial District.
Nakamura will have to seek election next year if she wants to keep the seat being vacated by retiring Supreme Court Justice Richard Bosson.
Nakamura is a longtime Albuquerque resident and University of New Mexico law school graduate who previously served as chief judge in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court before moving to District Court in 2013.
She also is a past political director of the state GOP and staffer of former Sen. Pete V. Domenici.
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