Gov. Susana Martinez appointed Republican Judith Nakamura on Thursday to fill a seat on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Courtesy photo
Judith Nakamura
Nakamura, who’s most recently been a judge on the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque, replaces Justice Richard C. Bosson, who is retiring.
Martinez, in a news release, said Nakamura has shown “tremendous leadership and dedication during her time on the bench,” which spans 17 years and also includes being a former chief judge of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
“I’m proud to appoint her to our highest court because she has devoted her career to upholding justice, and I’m confident she will continue to serve New Mexico with integrity,” Martinez said.
Martinez appointed Nakamura to the district court in 2013. The judge has most recently been working in that court’s criminal division.
With the appointment, members of the state’s Supreme Court now include three women and two men.
Before being elected to the Metro Court in 1998, Nakamura spent nine years working as an attorney in private practice and for the State Land Office. She’s also a former political director for the Republican Party of New Mexico and staffer for former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., according to the Associated Press.
Nakamura will have to seek election in 2016 if she wants to keep the seat.
Learn more about Nakamura by reading the candidate questionnaire she filled out for the Albuquerque Journal in 2014.