SAN JUAN, PR (AP) – Puerto Rican judge Maite Oronoz Rodriguez has been nominated to head the U.S. territory’s Supreme Court as the first openly gay chief justice in the United States.
Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla announced the nomination on Friday afternoon calling it a “new time” for Puerto Rico’s judicial branch. At 39, Oronoz Rodriguez is also the youngest member of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court.
“It’s time to strengthen justice to face the challenges” and “to pass the administration of justice to present generations who will live the results,” the governor said in making the nomination.
Oronoz Rodriguez is in a public relationship with Gina Mendez, the chief of staff for Senate President Eduardo Bhatia.