Commission Presents 7 Dynamic Candidates for New Pima County Superior Court Judge

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is set to select a new judge for the Pima County Superior Court from a shortlist of seven candidates recommended by a judicial screening panel. This appointment comes in the wake of Judge Renee T. Bennett’s retirement earlier this year.

The Superior Court is responsible for overseeing a variety of cases, including criminal, civil, family law, juvenile, and probate matters. The court currently comprises 53 judicial officers.

Under Arizona law, the commission must present at least three candidates to the governor, ensuring that no more than 60 percent of the nominees belong to the same political party as the sitting governor. The commission convened on Monday and announced its recommendations on Tuesday, consisting of four Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent.

The candidates put forward include:

• Michael J. Martinez Areinoff, an independent and associate general counsel for the Tucson Unified School District
• Daniel R. Huff, a Republican who serves as a commissioner with the Pima County Superior Court
• Nanette C. A. Morrow, a Republican and senior litigation counsel with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
• Kristin J. Schriner, a Democrat, also a commissioner with the Pima County Superior Court
• Nathan T. Wade, a Democrat, and commissioner with the Superior Court in Pima County
• Kendrick A. Wilson, a Democrat, currently a justice of the peace with the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court
• Antonio Lopez Zapata, a Democrat who serves as a legal advisor for the Tucson Police Department

All candidates must satisfy specific criteria, which includes being at least 30 years old, having “good moral character,” being admitted to practice law in Arizona, and having resided in the state and Pima County for the past five years and one year, respectively.

The annual salary for a Superior Court judge is currently set at $180,000, with a planned increase of $10,000 scheduled for next year.