Eight Candidates Battle for Two Coveted Arizona Court of Appeals Seats

Eight candidates are moving forward to fill two vacancies on the Arizona Court of Appeals, according to the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. This decision was reached during a meeting on March 3, where candidates discussed their qualifications and experience.

The vacancies were created by the retirement of Judge Jennifer Campbell and the promotion of Judge Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court. As mandated by the Arizona Constitution, the commissioners must evaluate candidates on merit while also considering political affiliation and diversity. Notably, no more than 60% of the nominees can belong to the same political party.

To comply with state law, the finalists must represent a specific demographic from Division One counties outside Maricopa County, including Yuma, La Paz, Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, and Apache counties.

At the March 3 meeting, the commission reviewed submitted applications, heard public comments, and selected candidates for the interview stage.

The Candidates:

Judge John Napper, presiding judge of the Yavapai County Superior Court, has been influential in state election law, notably ruling on the Elections Procedures Manual. Registered as a Republican since 2017, he previously held independent and Democratic affiliations.

Kimberly Cromwell, a Democrat and former deputy attorney general for the White Mountain Apache Tribe, specializes in multiple legal areas, including contract law and land disputes. She currently operates her legal practice in Navajo County.

Andrew Becke, an independent attorney, focuses on real estate and personal injury litigation at the Becke Law Firm in Prescott. His contributions to legal committees highlight his commitment to Arizona’s justice system.

Veronika Fabian, another attorney, primarily works in consumer protection law at Choi and Fabian. Her diverse political background includes Democratic, independent, and Republican registrations over the years.

Eliza Beth Johnson, a Democrat, has served effectively as a Yuma County Superior Court commissioner, specializing in family law. Her previous experience with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office enriches her candidacy.

Michael Latham, the presiding judge of the Apache County Superior Court and a Democrat, oversees criminal cases, drawing from his background as a prosecutor.

Michael Paul McGill has transitioned from civil law to criminal law as a Yavapai County Superior Court judge. A Republican, he has worked in legal roles at both county attorneys’ offices.

Danalyn Savage, currently in private practice, held a brief appointment in the Yavapai County Superior Court. An independent, she specializes in guardianship and conservatorship cases.

Throughout the review process, several judges voiced their support for the candidates. Former Court of Appeals Judge Peter Swann praised Fabian’s consensus-building skills, while Judge Randall Warner highlighted Napper’s fairness in election cases.

The commissioners will reconvene for interviews and aim to submit a final candidate list to the governor by March 20.