Governor Appoints Claudia González Jiménez to Yuma Superior Court

Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Claudia González Jiménez to the Yuma County Superior Court on November 24, 2025, filling the seat vacated by the retirement of Judge Lawrence Kenworthy. González Jiménez has served on the court since 2021 as a commissioner and as a judge pro tempore, roles that have given her experience managing assigned case dockets and stepping in to perform judicial duties when needed.

A commissioner handles specific assigned cases and uncontested matters, according to the Arizona Supreme Court, and a judge pro tempore is assigned to perform the duties of a judge on a temporary basis. Those roles positioned González Jiménez to transition into the full judgeship with familiarity of local procedures and caseloads.

González Jiménez began her legal career with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project and later worked in the Yuma County Attorney’s Office and the Yuma County Office of the Legal Defender before joining the bench. Her career includes experience on both sides of criminal proceedings, a background Governor Hobbs highlighted in a released statement. “Judge González Jiménez brings a valuable perspective to the court, having been both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. Not only has she demonstrated a strong sense of justice throughout her career, but also a deep understanding of and care for the people of Yuma County. I am proud to appoint her to this new role where she will undoubtedly continue her exemplary service on their behalf.”

The appointment follows Arizona constitutional provisions for counties with populations under 250,000, where Superior Court judges are ultimately elected by voters. Vacancies created by retirement or resignation are filled by gubernatorial appointment until the next general election. This means González Jiménez will serve on the bench until voters in Yuma County choose a judge at the next general election in November 2026.

For residents, the appointment carries practical consequences. It preserves court capacity and helps avoid delays in hearings and case disposition, while also introducing an incumbent who will appear on the ballot next year. Voters will have the opportunity to evaluate González Jiménez’s record as commissioner and pro tempore when considering who should hold the bench beyond her interim term.