Gov. Kim Reynolds, on Aug. 1 in Des Moines, announced that she would appoint District Judge Susan Christensen to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Christensen has served as district associate judge in Iowa’s 4th District since 2007.

Christensen, who primarily practiced family law until her appointment as district associate judge, said she hopes to bring her well-rounded experience to the Supreme Court in her application for the position. She is also the daughter of former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Jerry Larson, who died in April after serving on the court from 1978-2008. He was Iowa’s longest-serving high court justice.

In her application, Christensen said, “I believe our Supreme Court should reflect the people whom we serve — people from all parts of our state who have busy lives, challenging situations, and deep devotion to those we love and want to protect. I am the person who can provide that representation.”

“We need judges who understand the proper role of the courts in our government,” Reynolds said during the press conference on Aug. 1. “Judges who will apply the law and not make it. Judges who will decide cases based upon the text of our statutes and Constitution, not their personal policy preferences. Over the past weeks, I have considered the three nominees for the Supreme Court … after careful consideration, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Judge Suzie Christensen as Iowa’s newest Supreme Court justice.”

During the press conference, Christensen said she was “honored and humbled” by Reynolds’ appointment, and she thanked Reynolds for “entrusting me with this incredible honor.”

Twenty-one candidates were considered for the vacant position, 14 of whom were women ​— since 1962, Iowa has operated under a merit-selection process for the Supreme Court. According to the Iowa Judicial Branch website, this is “designed to emphasize the professional qualifications of applicants for judicial appointment and minimize partisan politics.”

— Charles Peckman