Republican-appointed justices have dominated the Arizona Supreme Court for years, and while they still retain a solid majority the ideological balance shifted toward the left on Monday.

New Justice Maria Elena Cruz was sworn in as the first Democrat-appointed member of Arizona's highest court in 20 years after she was selected last week by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Republic reported.

Cruz, who is of mixed black and Hispanic heritage, also made history as the state's first black and Latina jurist on the high bench.

An historic appointment

During the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, which was led by Gov. Hobbs, new Justice Cruz repeated the oath, "I, Maria Elena Cruz, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of the state of Arizona."

"That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of justice of the Arizona Supreme Court according to the best of my ability, so help me God," she added.

According to the Republic, Justice Cruz fills the vacancy on the Arizona Supreme Court left by the October retirement of former Justice Robert Brutinel, and at age 52 she is poised to serve for up to 18 years, when she will reach the state's mandatory retirement age of 70.

Unless there is a surprise resignation or unexpected early retirement, the next vacancy on the court won't open up until 2027, meaning Gov. Hobbs -- who hasn't yet announced a re-election run but is expected to do so soon -- could have an opportunity to appoint a second justice to the high court, something no Democratic governor has done for decades.

Experienced but also checks certain boxes

The Associated Press reported last week that Gov. Hobbs selected Justice Cruz from a list of five candidates presented to her by Arizona's Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, which is required by state law to make at least three recommendations, after which the governor has 60 days to make a final choice.

"I prioritized an appointee who is not only eminently qualified but also someone who reflects our state and who is committed to making our legal system work for everyday people," Hobbs said during a press conference. "Of course, I was focused on credentials and experience but also on appointing a justice who will uplift those who need it most."

Cruz, who was born in New York but has lived in rural Arizona since she was a teen, obtained a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Arizona in 1998 and 2001, respectively, and served for a few years after as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer.

Her judicial career began in 2005 as a judge for the Cocopah Indian Tribe, after which she sat on the bench of the Yuma County Superior Court for eight years, until she was appointed in 2017 by then-Republican Gov. Doug Ducey to serve on the state's Court of Appeals.

Cruz reveals her priorities

Following the news of her appointment, per the AP, Cruz said in a statement, "As a new justice, I promise to bring not only my 20 years of judicial experience, including service on the Cocopah Tribal Court, the Superior Court, and the Court of Appeals, and a deep respect and loyalty for the rule of law, but also a perspective that is informed by growing up, living, raising a family, and working in rural Arizona."

The Republic noted that Cruz also said she had "A personal understanding of challenges faced by those who are marginalized because of their color or their gender," and that she "will do the work of applying the law fairly, but I will also do so while acknowledging that access to justice is limited and there’s much work to be done in ensuring that poverty or lack of education do not continue to be barriers for Arizonans' understanding and use of the legal system."