Justice joins New Mexico Supreme Court

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A new justice has joined the state's highest court. Justice Gary Clingman was sworn in on Monday in Santa Fe to temporarily fill a seat vacated by Justice Edward L. Chavez. Chavez retired in March, and Clingman recently was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court by Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican. Clingman is from Hobbs, and has been a district judge since 1997. He's a graduate of the University of Texas and Texas Tech Law School. Martinez says he also is a former law enforcement officer. New Mexico voters will choose a candidate in the general election to permanently fill the seat.