For the first time in thirty years, Minnesota's Supreme Court will have a female majority.
Governor Walz Monday announced the appointment of Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas and Stearns County Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy to the bench.
“As Chief Justice, I am pleased to welcome both Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy and Judge Theodora Gaïtas to the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice Natalie Hudson. “Both are experienced, well-respected jurists who bring exceptional intellectual gifts and a deep commitment to serving the people of Minnesota. This is a great day for Minnesota.”
They replace Justices G. Barry Anderson and Margaret Chutich. who announced their retirements in January.
Anderson will have served for twenty years on the high court when he steps down May 2, six months before his 70th birthday.
70 is mandatory retirement age for Minnesota judges.
Chutich was the first openly gay member of the state supreme court.
She was appointed in 2016 and leaves the bench on July 31.
Walz has now appointed four justices to the state Supreme Court, the others are Gordon Moore and Karl Procaccini.