The nomination of Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court represents a historic milestone in the state. Chosen by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, Cruz becomes the first Latina and the first black person to sit on the state's highest court, according to a report by the Associated Press. Her appointment also symbolizes a change in the composition of the court, which has been predominantly Republican and made up of judges from Maricopa County, Arizona's most populous county, which includes Phoenix. With this choice, Hobbs emphasized the importance of a court that reflects the diversity of the state and that is committed to ensuring justice for all.

With an inspiring trajectory, Cruz was born in New York, the daughter of a Puerto Rican father and a Dominican mother. As a teenager, she moved to Yuma County, a rural region of Arizona, where her experience shaped her vision of the need for justice accessible to all. Her interest in law arose unexpectedly, after a car accident that led her to seek legal representation. The meeting with a lawyer awakened in her the desire to follow the profession and, determined, she decided to leave her job as a teacher to study Law, according to the publication.

A graduate of the University of Arizona, Cruz amassed a solid career as a prosecutor and defense attorney before becoming a judge. Her background includes stints in the Yuma County Attorney's Office and the Cocopah Tribal Court. In 2017, she was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals by then-Republican Governor Doug Ducey, becoming the first Democrat to join a state appeals court by appointment of a Republican governor.

Cruz's selection was the result of a selection process conducted by the Nominating Commission for the Court of Appeal, which sent a list of five names to the governor. Her appointment fills the vacancy vacated by Justice Robert Brutinel and comes at a time when the Arizona Supreme Court has been ruling on highly controversial issues such as abortion and elections.

During the announcement of her appointment, Cruz emphasized her commitment to equity and her experience of living in rural Arizona as a differentiator for her performance on the court. Her son, Diego Avino, expressed pride in his mother's effort and dedication, highlighting her tireless work ethic. Surrounded by family members who traveled from different places to accompany her, Cruz is preparing to take office and assume her new role, bringing with her a renewed look at the court and justice in the state.