Gov. Ned Lamont nominated Raheem Mullins on Thursday as the next leader of the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Mullins is currently an associate justice on the state’s highest court, and would be the second Black chief justice in Connecticut history, if he is confirmed by state lawmakers.

During an afternoon press conference, Lamont, a Democrat who is serving his second term as governor, said he chose Mullins as his nominee for the influential position because of his extensive experience with Connecticut’s court system.

“I love a chief justice who knows our court system,” Lamont said.

“I also care about a good person,” Lamont added. “Somebody who knows where he is from. Somebody who has empathy.”

Mullins, a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, previously served as an assistant attorney general and an assistant state’s attorney. Since 2012, he’s held various positions on the bench, including two years as a Superior Court judge, three years as an appellate court judge and the last seven years as an associate justice of the Supreme Court.

When Mullins joined the Supreme Court in late 2017, he was the youngest person to ever serve in that position.

As his parents, children and grandchildren looked on, Mullins thanked Lamont for the opportunity to lead the state’s judicial branch.

“I look forward to the challenges ahead, and to meet them head on,” Mullins said.

Mullins also lauded outgoing chief justice Richard Robinson, who he described as a mentor and a guiding force in his legal career.

Robinson, who was the first Black chief justice in state history, announced in May that he would be stepping down from his position leading the Supreme Court, a post he held since 2018.

Robinson told the small crowd assembled at the Capitol on Thursday that his decision to step down was “bittersweet,” but he said he was pleased with Lamont’s decision to nominate Mullins to fill the position.

“Being chief justice is a very tough job,” Robinson said, adding that Mullins was an “excellent choice” for the role.

While Mullin’s nomination fills a necessary leadership position, it will not resolve the open seat on the seven-member Supreme Court.

Lamont told members of the media Thursday that he had no immediate plans to nominate a new justice. But he said a nominee could be offered up by late fall or early next year.