Justice Margaret Chutich, who has served eight years as Minnesota’s top court, announced Tuesday that she would retire in the summer. She made her announcement five days after Justice G. Barry Anderson announced that he would retire in May.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton nominated Chutich in 2016 to the Minnesota Supreme Court after she had served several years on Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Chutich is the first openly homosexual state supreme Court justice in Minnesota. Her last day is July 31.

In a Judicial Branch statement, Chutich stated that “representation is essential so students can see people like themselves succeeding and have the confidence to set high goals.”

Anderson announced last week that he will step down on May 10, after serving in the position since 2004. Anderson was appointed to the seven member court by Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the last remaining Republican-appointed justice.

Two of Minnesota’s most senior judges have abruptly changed. In less than a calendar year, three new justices will take their seats, and Natalie Hudson was promoted to the position of chief justice last fall.

DFL Gov. Tim Walz said to reporters on Tuesday that he expected to fill both positions by spring. This means he has appointed the majority of justices to the seven-member Court.

Walz stated that the Minnesota Supreme Court’s continuity and stability is comparable to any other institution in the country. “I feel a responsibility to ensure that it remains this way.”

Minnesota’s justices are appointed by the governors, and they must be re-elected every six years. If a vacancy arises at the end of the term for a Minnesota justice, the voters will fill it. Alan Page, the last justice of the state supreme courts to be elected directly in 1992.

Walz appointed two justices of the supreme court, Gordon Moore III, and Karl Procaccini. He also elevated Hudson to the position of chief justice.