Longtime judge Cheri Beasley will become North Carolina's first Black Chief Justice amid Republican opposition.

In a move some claim breaks with tradition, North Carolina's Governor Roy Cooper (D) appointed Beasley to Supreme Court's highest position. Local outlet ABC 11 reports she was announced February 12 following news her predecessor, Mark Martin, would retire.

"I know Justice Beasley to be fair and deeply committed to all North Carolinians," Cooper told media. "I appreciate her willingness to serve our state in this appointed role."

Beasley's resume speaks for itself. The 53-year-old graduated from Rutgers University and obtained her J.D. from the University of Tennessee. In 1999, she was appointed to a state bench position and then served as an Associate Judge on the court of appeals.

Since 2012, Beasley has served on the state's highest court.

I am grateful to @NC_Governor for appointing me to serve as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. I am truly honored by his confidence in my abilities to successfully lead the Supreme Court and the Judicial Branch. pic.twitter.com/qe6jRVF7p5

— Cheri Beasley (@JusticeCBeasley) February 13, 2019

The monumental appointment came during Black History Month and 20 years after the state's first Black justice, Henry Frye, was appointed to the Supreme Court.

"It is not lost on me — this historic fact — especially since this is Black History Month," Beasley told media in a press junket. "I know that the work we do is hugely important, but the other thing I think about are the little girls along the way, who ought to have a sense of promise and hope for their futures, and so I hope that in some way my service inspires young people especially, but really I hope it is a show of symbolism for where we are in North Carolina."

"This is certainly not the North Carolina of 200 years ago, and so I'm excited about the fact that North Carolina has moved forward," Beasley added.

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Stiff opposition from the Right criticized Cooper's decision. The Raleigh News & Observer reports Senior Associate Justice Paul Newby would have been Chief Justice. He was on the Supreme Court since 2004. Newby cites political partisanship.

"The Governor's decision further erodes public trust and confidence in a fair judiciary, free from partisan manipulation," Newby said in a statement. "While many talk of removing partisan politics from the courts, the Governor's actions today in using party label to make his selection is a reminder that actions speak louder than words."

North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes piggybacked on Newby's criticism. Hayes believes if Newby was a Democrat, he would be Chief Justice because he has more experience.

"Today Governor Cooper decided to skip over two more experienced justices and elevated a justice with less Supreme Court experience to the open post of Chief Justice," Hayes said. "One can only believe the reason Cooper decided to ignore the longstanding, nonpartisan tradition of the Court was purely politics. Cooper's constant calls to keep our courts free from political interference rings hollow with this decision."

Nevertheless, Beasley will be the first Black woman to lead to court in the state's history. She will officially become Chief Justice in March.

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First Black Supreme Court Justice In North Carolina

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