California Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter announced Wednesday that he will retire after serving more than 24 years, possibly giving Gov. Jerry Brown a significant hand in reshaping a high court that has leaned right politically for decades.
Baxter said that that he would not stand for re-election in November and will step down when his term expires in January. State Supreme Court justices face a "retention" election every 12 years.
The 74-year-old Fresno County native is considered one of the most politically conservative members of the court. He was a reliable vote in upholding death penalties and signed on to the 4-3 dissent of then-Chief Justice Ronald George's opinion striking down California's gay marriage ban in 2008.
If Brown is re-elected in November, the Democratic governor will be faced with the third vacancy on the seven-member court.
