The chief justice of Delaware's Supreme Court says he is retiring after 25 years on the bench.
In a letter dated Thursday, Chief Justice Myron Steele informed Gov. Jack Markell that he plans to retire effective Nov. 30.
Under state law, Markell has 60 days from that date to seek Senate confirmation of Steele's replacement.
Markell praised Steele in a statement Friday for his service as a Superior Court judge, a vice chancellor in the Court of Chancery and a Supreme Court justice.
State law requires a political balance on the top three courts, and Steele's resignation will leave two Democrats and two Republicans on the Supreme Court.
That means the Democratic governor can nominate a judge from either party to fill the vacancy.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
