PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court confirmed Tuesday that Chief Justice Scott Bales has told Gov. Doug Ducey he will retire on July 31, 2019, after completing his five-year term.
Bales' pending retirement will give room for Ducey to make his fifth appointment on the seven-member court. The Republican governor is set to make his fourth appointment soon following Justice John Pelander's retirement.
On Friday, the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments recommended five nominees to Ducey to choose from to replace Perlander. Those nominees are:
- James P. Beene, an Arizona Court of Appeals Judge – Division I
- Kent E. Cattani, an Arizona Court of Appeals Judge – Division I
- Maria Elena Cruz, an Arizona Court of Appeals Judge – Division I
- Richard E. Gordon, a Pima County Superior Court Judge
- Andrew M. Jacobs of Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Republican Beene and Democrat Cruz were appointed to the court of appeals by Ducey. Cattani, a Republican, was appointed by former Gov. Jan Brewer.
The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments will nominate a set of candidates for Ducey to choose from again once Bales retires this summer.
Former Gov. Janet Napolitano appointed Bales to the Supreme Court in 2005. According to a news release from the Arizona Supreme Court, Bales is currently the longest-serving justice on the court.
