Gov. Newsom Nominates First Openly Gay Black Man To California Supreme Court

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has nominated Martin Jenkins to serve on the state’s Supreme Court. He would be the first openly gay justice and only the third Black man to serve on the state’s highest court if the decision is confirmed.

Per CNN, Jenkins was a former NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks. He later became a civil rights attorney and Alameda County prosecutor. He prosecuted cross burnings and police misconduct cases under President Ronald Reagan.

“Justice Jenkins is widely respected among lawyers and jurists, active in his Oakland community and his faith, and is a decent man to his core,” Newsom said. “As a critical member of my senior leadership team, I’ve seen firsthand that Justice Jenkins possesses brilliance and humility in equal measure. The people of California could not ask for a better jurist or kinder person to take on this important responsibility.”

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Jenkins accepted the nomination and thanked the two black men  who served on the court before him, Wiley Manuel and Allen Broussard.

“I understand it has been 29 years since an African American man has served on the high court and I wouldn’t be here today without the support and mentorship of these men,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq9t3PAo_8g