PHOENIX — Governor Ducey announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has selected Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery to fill an open Arizona Supreme Court seat.
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Click the tweet thread below to read his full statement.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ve made my selection to replace Chief Justice Bales on the Arizona Supreme Court. 1/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 4, 2019
Montgomery is a West Point graduate who served as the County's top prosecutor for 8 years. During his interview, The American Civil Liberties Union urged he withdraw his name saying he was a barrier to criminal justice reforms.
The ACLU also said "his record reflects persistent, open hostility to the principles of equality, liberty, justice and dignity under the law for LGBT people and their families, among others."
Montgomery was included among seven finalists for the state Supreme Court position.
As the elected prosecutor for the nation's fourth-largest county, Montgomery drew strong support from prominent fellow Republicans and fierce opposition from civil rights groups.
Earlier this week, an ethics complaint was filed against Bill Montgomery claiming that he violated State Bar of Arizona rules by failing to properly supervise embattled prosecutor Juan Martinez.
Montgomery will fill the seat that was left vacant by Chief Justice Bales, who is retiring.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement to serve out Montgomery's term, which expires in 2020. An exact timetable hasn't been announced.
