Governor Newsom Nominates Openly Gay Justice to Serve On California Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO, CA — (10-22-20) — Governor Newsom nominated the first openly gay Black American justice to serve on the California Supreme Court. Justice Martin Jenkins, who serves as judicial appointments secretary to the governor, has now been nominated to serve on the state’s highest court.

If confirmed, Newsom’s office said Justice Jenkins would be the first openly gay justice to serve on the high court and the third African American man in the state’s history. In fact it’s been nearly 30 years since an African American man has served on the California Supreme Court.

Newsom held a press conference for the announcement on October 5th with Justice Martin Jenkins in attendance.

Watch Newsom Press Conference with Martin Jenkins

Justice Jenkins previously served as an associate justice on the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District for more than ten years and was appointed by former President Clinton to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 1997.

The openly gay justice obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, was also a judge on the Alameda County Superior Court for several years in the 1990s, as well as the Oakland Municipal Court before that.

Congratulations to Justice Martin Jenkins for making history in the Golden State of California.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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