Oregon Supreme Court Justice Lynn Nakamoto is retiring on Dec. 31, 2021. Nakamoto’s replacement will be Governor Kate Brown’s (D) sixth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.
Under Oregon law, midterm vacancies on the state supreme court are filled via gubernatorial appointment. Appointed judges serve until the next general election more than 60 days after they were appointed, at which point they must run for election in order to remain in office.
Justice Nakamoto joined the Oregon Supreme Court in 2016. She was appointed to the court by Brown. Upon her appointment, Nakamoto became the first Asian Pacific American on the state supreme court.
Before serving on the state supreme court, Nakamoto served as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals. She was appointed to that court by Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) in December 2010. Upon her appointment to the court, Nakamoto became the first Asian Pacific American from Oregon to serve on any state or federal appellate court.
Following Nakamoto’s retirement, the Oregon Supreme Court will include the following members:
- Rebecca Duncan, appointed by Gov. Kate Brown (D) in 2017
- Adrienne Nelson, appointed by Brown in 2018
- Martha Walters, appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) in 2006
- Chris Garrett, appointed by Brown in 2018
- Thomas Balmer, appointed by Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) in 2001
- Meagan A. Flynn, appointed by Brown in 2017
Founded in 1859, the Oregon Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Martha Walters.
In 2021, there have been 15 court vacancies in 13 of the 29 states where replacement justices are appointed instead of elected. The vacancies have been caused by retirements.
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