Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court. The state appellate judge from rural Yuma County will become the first Latina and the first Black person chosen for the state’s high court.

PHOENIX -- Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday, making the state appellate judge from Yuma County the first Latina and first Black person chosen for the state’s high court.

Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Maria Elena Cruz is Gov. Katie Hobbs’ pick for the vacancy on the state Supreme Court. Cruz will be replacing former Justice Robert Brutinel, who retired in October. She was selected out of five names provided to the governor by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments,