The cloistered halls of the California Supreme Court became a little more diverse this week when the first openly gay Black man was confirmed as a justice.
Martin J. Jenkins, 66, a Democrat, was confirmed Tuesday (Nov. 10) as an Associate Justice to the California Supreme Court, becoming the third Black man ever to serve on the state's highest court, according to a news release from the California Courts.
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"He is praised for his brilliant intellect, first-class temperament and boundless humanity," according to a report from the state's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation.
Justice Martin J. Jenkins has been unanimously confirmed to the CA Supreme Court. After more than 30 years of service as a state & federal judge, Justice Jenkins makes history as the first openly gay justice and the third African American man to serve on the state high court. pic.twitter.com/KoNVaT8ffH
— California Supreme Court (@CaSupremeCourt) November 10, 2020
He is the first African-American man to serve on the state's Supreme Court in 29 years, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office notes in a statement. Newsom nominated Jenkins in October to replace Justice Ming Chin, who retired in August, the report says.
Photo: California Courts
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