Blankinship officially takes the bench in 12th Judicial Court

Steven E. Blankinship was sworn in as the 12th Judicial District Division I judge during a ceremony at the Otero County Courthouse Friday.

Blankinship was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jerry H. Ritter Jr.

Ritter retired from the bench Sept. 1.

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura administered the oath of office to Blankinship.

Blankinship said he feels like he has embarked on a journey of greater responsibility after he took the oath of office.

“It’s a responsibility that I take seriously,” he said. “I suspect there’s going to be many sleepless nights with issues weighting on my mind. I look forward to this opportunity.”

Blankinship earned his juris doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 2004. He worked as a general counsel in the Office of Gov. Susana Martinez between December 2012 and June 2017. Prior to working in the governor's office as a civil litigation attorney, he worked as a prosecutor in the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office between July 2007 and February 2009 then worked as a prosecutor in the 3th Judicial DA's Office between February 2009 and December 2012. Blankinship and his family moved back to Alamogordo in June 2017 because he accepted a deputy district attorney position in the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Blankinship said he felt different after taking the oath of office.

“It is a different feeling,” he said. “As an attorney, you’re an advocate for a particular side or particular issue even though what you advocate for is not what an individual would want. As a judge, you’re ultimately the backstop. You’re the one who is supposed to weed through those arguments and ultimately deliver what is just and appropriate. This week every decision I am making is a decision that is just. That’s what I am trying to do.”

Former 12th Judicial District Judge Robert Doughty said he has known Blankinship since Blankinship was a deputy DA in Alamogordo.

“I am proud of him,” Doughty said. “I know he will make a great judge. I support the process of the nominating commission and the decision of the governor. I was around when they changed to this system from strict parties and politics. I think it’s a better system by far. He has hit the ground running.”

Twelfth Judicial District Division II Judge James W. Counts said he believes Blankinship will do very well.

“It’s a very rigorous process in reviewing the applications,” Counts said. “They have to go through the gauntlet of each member of the commission questioning the applicant then we go into closed session and review their responses, and vote. He certainly came through the process. It is up to the governor to appoint someone from the names that we sent.”

He said he believes the process for appointing a judge to the bench is extreme vetting.

“Based on everything we’ve learned and heard about him, I have no doubt he will do a great job,” Counts said. “I’ve known him for years since he’s been down here before. He’s appeared before me. I was impressed then and everything he’s done since then, is that more impressive. I think we’re in good hands.”