Following the retirement of Chief Ron George, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to nominate Tani Cantil-Sakauye, a Republican appellate court justice, to become the next chief justice of the California Supreme Court, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Not only will 50-year old Cantil-Sakauye will be the first Asian-American to lead the Supreme Court, she will give the court a female majority for the first time in history.

“Being nominated to serve on the highest court in California is a dream come true,” Cantil-Sakauye stated, according to the Bee.

She was appointed to the Sacramento Municipal Court as a judge in 1990 and has served on the 3rd District Court of Appeal since 2005.

“It's a brilliant choice,” Arthur Scotland, presiding justice of the 3rd District Court of Appeal said of Schwarzenegger's choice. “Tani is exceptionally smart. She's diligent. She's articulate, collegial. She has all the qualities necessary to be a chief justice.”

If approved by a three-member commission and voters in November, Cantil-Sakauye will begin her 12-year term in January.

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