Peabody Native Kimberly Budd Confirmed As MA Chief Justice

PEABODY, MA — A former Peabody High student will become the state's first Black Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court after the Governor's Council confirmed Kimberly Budd on Wednesday.

"Justice Kimberly Budd is an exceptional and dignified jurist that has served on the Supreme Judicial Court with fairness and integrity and I have the utmost confidence that she will now lead the Commonwealth's highest court and all those that come before it with grace and impartiality," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "I am honored to congratulate Justice Budd on her unanimous confirmation, and am grateful to the members of the Governor's Council for their diligence in considering and approving her appointment."

Budd, a Peabody native, will replace the late Ralph Gants, who died of complications from a heart attack in September.

The Governor's Council confirmed Budd unanimously.

"I am proud to congratulate Justice Kimberly Budd on her unanimous confirmation to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and am confident that as Chief Justice, her unique lens and perspective will ensure every voice is heard as the Court hears important and complex cases," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said. "I thank my colleagues on the Governor's Council for their advice and consent in this process and appreciate their time and commitment."

Budd said during her nomination news conference she knows she was being chosen to lead the court at a pivotal and complicated time.

"We're in the middle of a pandemic in the Commonwealth," she said. "People are in a panic. People are hurting. We have to make sure the judiciary is run as well as it can. That's what I'm focused on right now."

More Patch Coverage: Peabody's Kimberly Budd Nominated As First Black MA Chief Justice