Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman retired from her seat on the state’s highest court effective Friday, June 11. Her resignation letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) did not provide a reason for her departure. Guzman’s replacement will be Gov. Abbott’s fifth nominee to the nine-member supreme court.
Under Texas law, in the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The Texas State Senate must then confirm the nominee. Appointees serve until the next general election, in which he or she must participate in a partisan election to remain on the bench for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Guzman joined the Texas Supreme Court in 2009. She was appointed by former Gov. Rick Perry (R).
Guzman was the first Hispanic woman appointed to the state’s highest court. Upon winning election to the seat in 2010, she became the first Hispanic woman elected to statewide office in Texas. Prior to her appointment to the supreme court, Guzman served as a district judge for Texas’ 309th District Court and as an appellate judge for Texas’ Fourteenth Court of Appeals. She practiced law as a litigator in Houston before becoming a judge. Guzman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, a J.D. from the South Texas College of Law, and an LL.M. from Duke University School of Law.
Following Guzman’s retirement, the Texas Supreme Court includes the following members:
• Nathan Hecht, appointed by Perry in 2013
• Jimmy Blacklock, appointed by Abbott in 2018
• Debra Lehrmann, appointed by Perry in 2010
• John Devine, elected in 2012
• Rebeca Huddle, appointed by Abbott in 2020
• Jane Bland, appointed by Abbott in 2019
• Jeffrey S. Boyd, appointed by Perry in 2012
• Brett Busby, appointed by Abbott in 2019
All current members of the court identify as Republicans.
In 2021, there have been 13 supreme court vacancies in 11 of the 29 states where replacement justices are appointed instead of elected. The vacancies have been caused by retirements.
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