High Court Vacancy Puts Pressure on Newsom: California Brief

High Court Opening Fuels Guesswork

The Earl Warren building in San Francisco, headquarters of the California Supreme Court

Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

More than six months into the third-longest vacancy in California Supreme Court history, many legal observers remain in the dark about what’s driving the delay and are left to speculate about what may be motivating Gov. Gavin Newsom’s nomination process.

I’m Quinn Wilson, and I’m following the California Supreme Court, the state’s broader judiciary, and the State Bar for you. Today, I’m looking at the opening on the high court left by former Justice Martin J. Jenkins, who retired in October 2025.

Newsom must nominate a replacement before he leaves office in early 2027 ...