State Is First in U.S. to Pick Latina Chief Justice
From Times Wire Reports
Petra Jimenez Maes was named the first Latina to become chief justice of a state’s highest court.
A four-year veteran of the state’s Supreme Court, Maes was elected by her colleagues. She will be sworn in Friday.
In New Mexico, the five elected justices select a chief every two years. Typically they rotate the job, giving it to the most senior justice who has not yet held it; this year that was Maes.
Maes, 55, is the third woman to serve on the state Supreme Court, and the second female chief justice.
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