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ST. PAUL 鈥� Associate Justice Theodora Ga茂tas took the oath of office on Monday, Sept. 16, formally joining the Minnesota Supreme Court during a ceremony in St. Paul.

The addition will again make the state鈥檚 highest court woman-led. With her placement, the entire seven-member court will be appointed by DFL governors. It also ends a period of turnover on the court.

Ga茂tas 鈥� who goes by Teddy 鈥� will replace retired Associate Justice Margaret Chutich on the bench. Chutich stepped down at the end of July. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court, Ga茂tas served as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She previously worked as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District, where she presided over a felony caseload in the criminal division.

Colleagues and friends lauded her appointment, saying the new associate justice brings compassion and empathy to the bench. They also celebrated the new majority of justices on the court who鈥檇 previously defended people who couldn鈥檛 afford an attorney.

Chief Justice Natalie Hudson said she initially got to know Ga茂tas when the two worked as adversaries in the criminal appellate division 鈥� Hudson with the attorney general鈥檚 office and Ga茂tas with the appellate public defender. Hudson said that background would make her a strong member of the court.

鈥淪he understands that behind every case there are real people with real lives, and she is committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan, regardless of their background, receives the fairness and dignity that they deserve,鈥� Hudson said. 鈥淪he knows that justice isn鈥檛 a one-size-fits-all proposition. It鈥檚 a living, breathing promise that we all must strive to fulfill each and every day.鈥�

Ben Hovland / MPR News

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan echoed the support for Ga茂tas and said she was a trailblazer on the bench. Walz noted that she stood apart as an applicant because of her answer to a question about the personal experiences that shaped her as a justice.

Walz said Ga茂tas was able to navigate the death of her husband, Chris Sur, last year and channeled that heartbreak into her work defending Minnesotans.

鈥淛ustice Ga茂tas鈥� personal journey, her personal heartaches, as well as her commitment to others shine through in so many ways, putting others in front of herself,鈥� Walz said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all products of our life experience, and the life experience that Justice Ga茂tas has brought is one of compassion, of service, of intellect and joy, of finding the joy in the work we do.鈥�

Ga茂tas said she was honored to accept the appointment and credited Minnesota and its legal community for helping shape her. And she pulled from her Greek heritage to emphasize the philia, or love for community, in the state.

鈥淭his is what your philia looks like to me,鈥� she said, addressing the audience. 鈥淭hank you for your kindness and support and thank you for your contribution to the good order we have here in Minnesota. It is my honor to know you and to serve you.鈥�

While governors appoint justices in most circumstances, they must periodically face voters. Their first election usually comes a year or two after they get on the court and then the seats are up every six years after that.

In November, three justices are on the ballot: Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Associate Justices Anne McKeig and Karl Procaccini. Ga茂tas and Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy won鈥檛 face voters until 2026.