Judith Nakamura

Judith Nakamura (born November 3, 1960) is an American judge and former chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. She was appointed to the court by Governor Susana Martinez in 2015, and was re-elected in November 2016.[1][2]

Judith Nakamura
Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
In office
June 7, 2017 – July 14, 2020
Preceded byCharles W. Daniels
Succeeded byMichael E. Vigil
Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
In office
December 11, 2015 – December 1, 2020
Appointed bySusana Martinez
Preceded byRichard C. Bosson
Succeeded byJulie J. Vargas
Personal details
Born (1960-11-03) November 3, 1960
New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of New Mexico (BA, JD)

Early life

Nakamura was born and raised in New Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1989.[3]

Career

After graduating from college, she served as a political director for the Republican Party of New Mexico and as a staffer for U.S. Senator Pete Domenici.[4] After law school, Nakamura was an attorney in private practice, and for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands.[5]

Judicial career

Nakamura was elected as a judge on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in 1998, and served as Chief Judge of that court from 2002 to 2013.[6] The Albuquerque Bar Association named Nakamura "Judge of the Year" in 2004.[7] Governor Susana Martinez appointed Nakamura to New Mexico's Second Judicial District Court in 2013, and she was re-elected to a new term in 2014.[6]

In 2015, Governor Martinez named Nakamura to the New Mexico Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Richard C. Bosson. Her appointment gave the supreme court a female majority for the first time.[8] She was sworn in on December 11, 2015.[9] A lawsuit challenging Nakamura's appointment, because she was nominated before her predecessor had actually left office, was dismissed by the courts.[10]

Nakamura was re-elected to a new term on the Supreme Court in November 2016, defeating her Democratic challenger Michael Vigil by 391,000 votes to 361,000 (52% to 48%).[2] Nakamura became the first Republican woman elected to the Court in the state's history, and the first Republican since 1980.[11]

On June 9, 2020, Nakamura announced that she would retire on August 1,[12] but she later postponed her retirement.[13] On December 1, Nakamura officially retired.[14]

Personal life

Nakamura is an avid balloonist, who serves on the board of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place in New Mexico each fall.[5]

See also

References
  1. Lee, Morgan (February 3, 2016). "Candidates vie for secretary of state post after scandal". Washington Times.
  2. Shepard, Maggie (November 9, 2016). "Close Supreme Court race ends in win for Nakamura". Albuquerque Journal.
  3. Martindale. "Judge Profile: Hon. Judith K. Nakamura".
  4. Haussamen, Heath (November 12, 2015). "Meet the newest member of the New Mexico Supreme Court". New Mexico Politics.
  5. Sandlin, Scott (November 12, 2015). "Gov. Martinez picks Nakamura for New Mexico Supreme Court". Albuquerque Journal.
  6. Reichbach, Matthew (November 12, 2015). "Martinez names Nakamura to fill Supreme Court vacancy". New Mexico Political Report.
  7. Miller, Blair (November 12, 2015). "Judge Judith Nakamura appointed to NM Supreme Court". KOB4 Eyewitness News.
  8. Da, Royale (March 29, 2016). "For the first time, there's a female majority on the New Mexico Supreme Court". KOAT.
  9. "Swearing-in ceremony set for NM Supreme Court justice". www.abqjournal.com. December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  10. Haywood, Phaedra (December 1, 2015). "Judge: Nakamura's Supreme Court appointment was constitutional". Santa Fe New Mexican.
  11. "Republican Nakamura keeps N.M. Supreme Court seat". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  12. https://www.abqjournal.com/1464678/state-supreme-court-chief-justice-retiring-next-month.html
  13. Haywood, Phaedra (June 26, 2020). "New Mexico Supreme Court's chief justice postpones retirement". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  14. "Justice Judith Nakamura to retire Dec. 1". KRQE News 13 Albuquerque - Santa Fe. September 18, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Richard C. Bosson		 Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
2015–2020		 Vacant
Preceded by
Charles W. Daniels		 Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
2017–2020		 Succeeded by
Michael E. Vigil
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