PHOENIX — On Wednesday, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court, making history as the first Latina and the first Black individual to serve on the state’s highest court. This appointment is significant as it marks the first Supreme Court selection by a Democratic governor since 2005, enhancing the diversity among the Republican-leaning court.
Governor Hobbs emphasized the importance of selecting an appointee who is not only highly qualified but also representative of Arizona’s diverse population and dedicated to improving the legal system for all residents. “I was focused not just on credentials and experience, but also on appointing a justice who will uplift those who need it most,” she stated during the announcement.
Since its inception in 1912, the Arizona Supreme Court had yet to include any justices who identified as Black, and only one, Vice Chief Justice John Lopez, had Latino heritage. With Cruz’s appointment, she becomes the second individual of Hispanic background and the first of African descent to serve on the bench.
Previous governors from the Republican Party, Doug Ducey and Jan Brewer, appointed all the other justices, who predominantly hail from Maricopa County, home to Arizona’s largest city, Phoenix. Cruz remarked on the necessity for a court that mirrors the state’s demographic makeup in order to foster trust among the populace.
As she steps into her role, Cruz brings over two decades of judicial experience, having served on various courts including the Cocopah Tribal Court and the Yuma County Superior Court. Cruz pledged to maintain a deep respect for the rule of law while also contributing her unique perspective shaped by her experiences growing up and working in rural Arizona.
Justice Robert Brutinel’s retirement on October 31 created a rare chance for Hobbs to fill the vacancy with her selection. The court has recently tackled numerous contentious issues, such as abortion and elections, which have led to claims of political partisanship.
In accordance with Arizona law, the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments presented Hobbs with at least three candidates to consider. After interviewing eight applicants on December 9, the commission provided her with a shortlist of five, allowing Hobbs 60 days to make her choice.
Maria Elena Cruz was born in New York to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents, moving to Yuma County at the age of 14. While attending Arizona Western College and working as an elementary school teacher, an accident sparked a career change for Cruz, propelling her toward law after realizing the significant impact lawyers have on people’s lives.
Inspired by her interactions with a lawyer during her own legal troubles, Cruz became determined to pursue a legal career. She resigned from her teaching position that same day to earn her law degree.
Cruz obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona in 1998 and graduated from the same institution with her law degree in 2001. Her career has spanned various roles, including clerking for the Pima County Attorney’s Office, serving as a prosecutor in Yuma County, and practicing as a criminal defense attorney.
She was appointed judge pro tem for the Cocopah Indian Tribe in 2005 and served on the Yuma County Superior Court from 2009 to 2017. Since 2017, Cruz has been a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, having been the first Democrat appointed by Ducey to a state appellate court.
During the announcement, Cruz’s family offered their support. Her husband, Glen Avino, shared that they learned of the news unexpectedly. Her father made a journey from Mexico City overnight, and her in-laws also traveled from Las Vegas to stand by her.
Cruz’s son, Diego Avino, expressed immense pride in his mother’s work ethic and achievements. “It’s something to see her rise from a small town to this position in Phoenix,” he commented. Cruz is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, marking a historic moment for Arizona’s judicial landscape.
