(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding the vote today by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee approving his nomination of Connecticut Appellate Court Chief Judge Melanie L. Cradle to serve on the Connecticut Supreme Court.
“Today marks an important—and long overdue—milestone as Melanie Cradle becomes the first Black woman ever to be confirmed to serve on the Connecticut Supreme Court,” Governor Lamont said. “For more than a decade, Judge Cradle has served our state’s courts with professionalism, impartiality, and integrity, and I am confident that she will continue this approach as she transitions to Connecticut’s highest court. I congratulate her on this distinctive honor.”
Governor Lamont nominated Judge Cradle to the position earlier this summer. She will serve in the seat that was most recently held by Justice Joan K. Alexander, who resigned from the position effective August 1, 2026, to begin serving as Connecticut’s chief court administrator in a full-time capacity.
The Judiciary Committee approved Judge Cradle’s nomination by a unanimous vote of 37 to 0. With today’s vote, she can begin serving on the Supreme Court in an interim capacity for the next several months. The full General Assembly will then need to vote on her nomination when they reconvene for the 2027 regular session.
In addition to voting on the nomination of Judge Cradle, the Judiciary Committee today also approved Governor Lamont’s nomination of Superior Court Judge W. Glen Pierson to fill the vacancy on the Appellate Court that was created by Judge Cradle’s elevation to the Supreme Court.