Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will have two seats to fill on the Supreme Judicial Court.
Earlier this week, Justice Robert Cordy announced he’d leave in August. Now there’s another exit from Massachusetts’ most high profile bench. Justice Francis Spina says he’ll also leave in August, shortly before he turns 70, the retirement age for state judges.
Spina is from Pittsfield. His departure could leave western Massachusetts with no representatives on the high court. Two years ago, Springfield native Roderick Ireland – then the chief justice – announced his retirement.
Governor Baker gets to nominate judges — though his picks must be approved by the Governor’s Council. And he’ll soon have two more opportunities; Justices Margaret Botsford and Geraldine Hines both turn 70 next year.