PHOENIX (AP) — Gov. Doug Ducey will get to appoint his fourth justice to the Arizona Supreme Court following the announced retirement of Justice John Pelander.
Pelander announced Tuesday that he will retire on March 1. Voters had just retained him to the high court in November.
The longtime jurist was appointed to the court by former Gov. Jan Brewer in July 2009 after serving 14 years on the state court of appeals.
Pelander stepped down as vice-chief justice of the Supreme Court early last year, saying if he was elevated to chief justice as expected he would reach retirement age before the five-year term expired.
Ducey signed legislation expanding the court from five to seven justices in 2016 and appointed two new members after previously filling a retirement vacancy.
