MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Sarah Stewart has been elected as the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman from the Republican Party to hold this position.

In a Tuesday election characterized by its unassuming nature, Stewart secured a decisive victory over Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin, a Democrat.

Stewart is now the third woman to ascend to the role of chief justice in Alabama’s history. The milestone was first achieved by Sue Bell Cobb, a Democrat, in 2006. Following her, Lyn Stuart, a Republican, assumed the position in 2016 after Roy Moore was suspended, prompted by an ethics ruling that found he had advocated for probate judges to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. Stuart was later appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to replace Moore in 2017 but was unsuccessful in her bid to continue in the role when she ran in the primary.

Having been elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2018, Stewart brings with her an extensive background, having served as a circuit judge in Mobile for a total of 13 years. She completed her legal studies at Vanderbilt Law School.

In March, Stewart clinched the GOP nomination, triumphing over Bryan Taylor, a former state senator and advisor to two governors, in the process.

Earlier this year, Stewart was part of the judicial panel that ruled in favor of allowing couples to file wrongful death lawsuits regarding the destruction of their frozen embryos due to a mishap at a fertility clinic. This decision stirred significant controversy, resulting in many clinics pausing their services as they worried about potential civil liability. In response, Alabama legislators passed laws intended to protect these clinics from legal consequences, allowing them to remain operational.

The Chief Justice not only serves on the state’s highest court but also takes on the role of administrative leader for Alabama’s judicial system.

Tom Parker, the current Chief Justice, is unable to seek re-election due to a state law that bars individuals from holding judicial office beyond the age of 70.

The race for Chief Justice was the only contested election for the Alabama Supreme Court on Tuesday, while the other judicial seats were won uncontested by Republican candidates. In recent years, the Alabama Supreme Court has been comprised entirely of Republican justices, reflective of the party’s dominance in statewide elections.