Statement by Latino Caucus Chair and Vice Chair Regarding Upcoming Vacancy on CA Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO - California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Vice Chair, Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) released the statement below following the announcement that California Supreme Court Justice Joyce Kennard was retiring from the state’s highest court:

“The decision by California Supreme Court Justice Joyce Kennard to step down from the bench gives Gov. Jerry Brown another opportunity to make his mark on the State’s highest court. As California’s Latino population continues to grow to the point where we are on track to be the single largest ethnic group in California, we hope the Governor will take the opportunity to make the Supreme Court truly reflective of the diverse State in which we all live. The fact that there is no current Latino representation in the State’s highest court is of great concern to the Caucus. There is no shortage of highly qualified Latino and Latina candidates for the Supreme Court and the Latino Caucus looks forward to working with the Governor to identify the best possible nominee.” 

Contact: Jesse Melgar (916) 651-4033 / Jesse.Melgar@sen.ca.gov