Justice Patricia Guerrero was voted in favor by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. This vote filled the vacancy left vacant by Associate Justice MarianoFlorentino Cuellar who resigned last year.
Guerrero, 50 years old, was raised in the agricultural Imperial Valley. She has served as a prosecutor, law firm partner, Superior Court judge, and is currently on the 4th District Court of Appeal. Governor Gavin Newsom will swear her in Monday. Gavin Newsom was the one who nominated her.
Guerrero was praised by her colleagues and the members of the panel, which included Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil–Sakauye. She said that she was humbled at the historical significance of her elevation into the court.
She said that she was proud to have stood on the shoulders her grandparents and parents, who immigrated from Mexico to provide a better future for their children.
Guerrero stated, “As I have tried to express it, this isn’t just about me or even about my parents but about so many other people just like us.” This is the American dream. It is the belief that anything is possible with hard work, perseverance, and the right opportunities. For that, I am grateful.”
Guerrero was unanimously confirmed following a friendly hearing at San Francisco’s Supreme Court. Cantil-Sakauye said it would be easy for Guerrero, opening the hearing by saying that it was a joyous occasion.
The breadth of Guerrero’s career, her legal writing, and her ability to reach consensus with other judges were all praised by her supporters.
According to the State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, she was exceptionally qualified for the highest court in the state.
Stella Ngai (chair of the commission) said that Justice Guerrero was “phenomenal on many levels.” She is universally praised for her exceptional intellect, clear writing and judicial temperament. Her work ethic, compassion, and willingness to help others are all highly acclaimed.”
Guerrero will succeed Cuellar who left to become the president of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Cuellar was appointed to the court by Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat.
Five of the seven court members were nominated and elected by Democrats, while two were nominated and elected by Republicans.
Newsom has made diversity on his bench a priority. He nominated Martin Jenkins, the first openly homosexual justice, to the court in 2020. Jenkins is also the third Black member of the court.
Guerrero’s grandfather, who came from Sonora, Mexico to seek residency in the United States through a sponsor.
Jorge Guerrero was her father when he arrived in California. He picked crops and worked in the feedlots. Guerrero’s husband, and one of their sons, wore cowboy boots to court. Guerrero beamed from the front row. They were accompanied by her sister and other family members.
Guerrero stated that she hopes Guerrero’s appointment will be a tribute her mother, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Guerrero also said that her appointment will be a fitting memorial to her mother. She was a babysitter and stressed the importance of education. Guerrero told Guerrero that her mother had never set limits on what her children could achieve.
Guerrero choked up while speaking about her mother. She said she waited to the end of her remarks as she didn’t believe she could get through her remarks sooner if she talked about her mother earlier.
She said, “She taught us to have strength, compassion, and independence.” She taught us the value of family. She taught us to be grateful for God’s blessings. She also taught us to help others when possible. She gave her all for us.
Guerrero graduated at the University of California, Berkeley as well as Stanford Law School. Her education was funded by scholarships and part-time work.
California joins Texas, Connecticut, Florida and Florida in having Latina justices at their high courts.
Guerrero will be paid a salary of $274,000.
