In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and swearings-in of justices from July 2 to July 30, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts.
Justices sworn into office:
In July 2026, one justice was sworn into office.
- On July 29, Delaware Court of Chancery Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn was sworn into the Delaware Supreme Court. She was nominated by Gov. Matt Meyer (D) on June 5 and was confirmed by the Delaware State Senate on June 30. Zurn replaces Justice Karen L. Valihura, who retired at the conclusion of her term on July 25. Zurn will serve on the state supreme court until 2038, when she will be eligible for reappointment.
Candidates nominated:
No candidates were nominated in July 2026.
Candidates appointed and nominees confirmed:
In July 2026, two candidates were appointed to two state supreme courts.
- In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly (D) appointed K. Christopher Jayaram to the Kansas Supreme Court. Jayaram succeeds Justice Marla Luckert, who stepped down from her position in March 2026. Since 2021, he has served as a district court judge in Johnson County. As of July 30, Jayaram has not yet been sworn in.
- In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) appointed Celeste Wilson to the state's supreme court. Prior to her appointment to the Mississippi Supreme Court, she has served as a circuit court judge in DeSoto County, a position she has held since 2017. Wilson replaces Robert Chamberlin, who was elevated to a federal court seat in December 2025. Wilson will take office on August 1, 2026.
Justices sworn out and upcoming judicial retirements:
In July 2026, one justice was sworn out of office.
- On July 25, Justice Karen L. Valihura retired from her seat on the Delaware Supreme Court. She was initially selected for this position by former Gov. Jack Markell (D), who nominated her on June 6, 2014. She was confirmed by the Delaware State Senate later that month and took office in July 2014. During the final year of her 12-year term, Valihura announced she would not seek reappointment to the court. Prior to her appointment to the court, Valihura worked as a lawyer for an international law firm.
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