According to this report in the Albuquerque Journal, Governor Susana Martinez has appointed Albuquerque lawyer Paul Kennedy to the open seat on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Justice Kennedy (who previously served as a justice on the Court in 2002) is highly-respected in the legal community. I have worked with him on several matters, and can say from that experience that he is a terrific lawyer who will be an asset to the Court.
So congratulations are in order for Justice Kennedy! He will serve until at least December 31. If he chooses to seek the Republican nomination, then he will run against the Democratic nominee, Chief Judge Barbara Vigil of the First Judicial District Court, in the November election.
UPDATE: According to this report by Whitney Jones at KOB.com, Justice Kennedy does plan to seek the Republican nomination. The Republicans will choose their nominee on Saturday.
