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Pima County Superior Court Invites Public Input on Judge Candidates
Pima County Superior Court is inviting public feedback on eight candidates vying for a judicial position left vacant by the retirement of Judge Kenneth Lee. This week, the applicants were narrowed down from an initial pool of 14.
The Superior Court comprises 53 judicial officers handling a variety of cases, including criminal, civil, family law, juvenile, and probate issues. Arizona law mandates that the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments recommend at least three candidates, ensuring that no more than 60 percent of the nominees represent the same political party as the governor.
The applicants include a diverse mix of political affiliations: five Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent. The candidates are as follows:
- Michael J. Martinez Areinoff: Independent, currently in-house counsel for the Tucson Unified School District and a former public defender.
- Daniel R. Huff: Republican, serving as a Pima County Superior Court commissioner with a background as a private attorney.
- Laine P. McDonald: Democrat, holds the position of Marana town magistrate and previously worked as a town prosecutor.
- Nanette C. A. Morrow: Republican, senior litigation counsel at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and law professor at the University of Arizona.
- Kristin J. Schriner: Democrat, a current Pima County Superior Court commissioner with past experience as senior litigation counsel at the Attorney General’s Office.
- Nathan T. Wade: Democrat, also a Pima County Superior Court commissioner and former public defender in Pinal County.
- Kendrick A. Wilson: Democrat, previously served as a Pima County justice of the peace and worked as a deputy prosecutor for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
- Antonio Lopez Zapata: Democrat, legal advisor for the Tucson Police Department and former public defender.
Public comments can be submitted through email at jnc@courts.az.gov or mailed to 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Note that anonymous comments will not be considered. The deadline for submissions is February 19.
A public meeting is scheduled for February 24 at 1310 W. Miracle Mile Rd., where the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will interview the candidates and welcome input from the community.
Following this meeting, the commission will narrow the field to three recommendations for Governor Katie Hobbs, who will make the final appointment. Applicants must meet several criteria: they must be at least 30 years old, licensed to practice law in Arizona, and have resided in Arizona for the past five years, including one year in Pima County. For context, the annual salary for a Superior Court judge is $190,000 as of the beginning of this year.
