DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Susan Christensen to the Iowa Supreme Court, making her the first woman to be on the state's highest court since 2010.
Reynolds' announcement Wednesday will end Iowa's distinction as the only state in the country that currently has an all-male Supreme Court.
The 56-year-old Christensen is a district court judge from western Iowa who serves in the Fourth Judicial District. She was one of three finalists, after a commission whittled down a pool of 21 applicants.
Christensen will replace Justice Bruce Zager, who's retiring in September. He was appointed by former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.
The pick is the first for Reynolds, who is serving out Branstad's term after he stepped down to become U.S. ambassador to China. Reynolds is seeking her own four-year term as governor in this year's midterm elections.
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