PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor on Monday nominated a veteran of the state’s court system to serve as the chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, nominated Superior Justice Valerie Stanfill to the position. Stanfill has served on the Maine Superior Court and Maine District Court for more than 14 years.

Mills nominated Stanfill to her current post on the superior court in February 2020. Stanfill is responsible for presiding over Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

Mills said Stanfill’s “sharp intellect, vast legal experience and expertise, and commitment to administering justice fairly and impartially make her an exceptional candidate to serve as Maine’s chief justice.”

Stanfill would need to be confirmed by the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary and also the Maine State Senate.

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