PHOENIX, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs has appointed Judge Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first Latina and Black Arizonan to serve on the state’s highest court.
Judge Cruz, who currently serves on the Arizona Court of Appeals, was previously appointed to that role by Governor Doug Ducey in 2017. She has also presided as a judge on the Yuma County Superior Court and the Cocopah Indian Tribal Court. A resident of Yuma County for more than 30 years and the daughter of working-class parents, she brings decades of legal experience and a deep connection to Arizona communities.
“Judge Maria Elena Cruz has led a life dedicated to justice and service to her state and community,” said Governor Hobbs. “Her decades of work reflect not only her legal expertise but also her deep understanding of the people she serves. Her presence on the Arizona Supreme Court reaffirms that the court belongs to the people of Arizona.”
Hobbs emphasized that Cruz’s appointment aligns with her commitment to selecting justices who reflect the state’s diverse population. “I prioritized an appointee who is not only eminently qualified but also someone who is committed to making our legal system work for everyday people,” Hobbs added.
Judge Cruz earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona and has worked as both a defense attorney and prosecutor. Her extensive legal experience includes handling nearly every type of case at various levels of the state judiciary.
Her appointment received strong bipartisan support, including endorsements from the entire Yuma County Board of Supervisors, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls, and Yuma County Sheriff George Wilmot. She will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Robert Brutinel, having been selected from a list submitted by the nonpartisan Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.