First Gay Justice, Martin Jenkins, Confirmed To CA Supreme Court

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The California Supreme Court got its first openly gay justice Tuesday with the confirmation of Martin Jenkins. Appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Jenkins will be the third Black man in the court's history.

Three commission members considered the appointment at a 1 p.m. hearing Tuesday, with all three ultimately finding Jenkins to be "exceptionally well qualified" — the highest possible rating.

"He is praised for his brilliant intellect, first-class temperament, and boundless humanity," the report said.

Jenkins is a 66-year-old Democrat and a San Francisco native, with a career that spans over four decades. He has also been considered for the seat on the California Supreme Court in years past.

The commission members who considered the appointment were Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and senior Presiding Justice of the state Court of Appeal J. Anthony Kline.

It has been 29 years since a Black man has served on the California Supreme Court.

"There's a significant responsibility that goes with being first," Jenkins told reporters at news conference Oct. 5 after he was appointed by Newsom. "I think it would be best dispatched in doing the work at the highest level, I possibly can."

He has served as Judicial Appointments Secretary for Newsom since Jan. 14, 2019.

Jenkins will fill a vacancy left by retired justice Ming Chin, who left the post Aug. 31.

The former prosecutor will become the fifth Democratic appointee on the court, which has seven members. And despite his lifelong Democratic standing, he is considered a moderate and has been appointed to state court positions by Republican governors.

He has served on the Alameda County Municipal Court and the 1st District San Francisco based state Court of Appeal.

"Justice Jenkins is widely respected among lawyers and jurists, active in his Oakland community and his faith, and is a decent man to his core," Newsom said in a statement in October. "As a critical member of my senior leadership team, I've seen firsthand that Justice Jenkins possesses brilliance and humility in equal measure. The people of California could not ask for a better jurist or kinder person to take on this important responsibility."

Jenkins was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 1997 and served until 2008. Later, he served as an associate justice on the state's Court of Appeal, First Appellate District from 2008-19.

He is also a former pro football player who was a rookie cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks in 1977. He left the NFL to enroll in University of San Francisco's School of Law.

"I want to say to some young person who may be out there today who is struggling with their identity," Jenkins said in October. "...my identity has been as a gay man, perhaps the greatest challenge of my life and it has not been easy."