California Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye won't seek a second 12-year term

The California Supreme Court’s chief justice said Wednesday that she will not seek a second 12-year term in November and will conclude her current term of office on January 1. The announcement by Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye will give Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, his third opportunity to appoint a justice to the seven-member high court, and his first to pick a new chief justice.

Cantil-Sakauye is of mixed descent. Her Hawaii-born father, Clarence, was of Filipino and Portuguese ancestry, while her mother, Mary Gorre, was Filipino.

California's top Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye announced she will step down in January after a 12-year term. Cantil-Sakauye, who is of Filipino descent, is the 28th chief justice of California and the first person of color and second woman to hold the post https://t.co/KZ4sa2kVVN pic.twitter.com/MLqOURtYAh

— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) July 28, 2022

BREAKING: California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, a moderate who has led the state’s highest court since 2010, announced Wednesday she will not seek a new term in November and will retire in January after 32 years as a judge. https://t.co/And82tMrqL

— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) July 27, 2022

BREAKING: California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye will not seek re-election.

This means @GavinNewsom can appoint a new Chief Justice.

Appointed by former Gov @Schwarzenegger, Cantil-Sakauye left the Republican Party during Trump presidency.

— Jeremy B. White (@JeremyBWhite) July 27, 2022