Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has applied to serve on the Arizona Supreme Court, he confirmed to The Arizona Republic late Friday.

If Gov. Doug Ducey selects him for the spot, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors would need to appoint a new county attorney.

The decision may not come for a few months. In December, Arizona Supreme Court Justice John Pelander announced that he plans to retire March 1.

Pelander's retirement means Ducey, a Republican, will have the opportunity to appoint another justice to the state's high court. Montgomery, also a Republican, is hoping it's him.

"I'm looking forward to the process. I'm certain that in the end, the governor will have several highly qualified candidates to consider," Montgomery said in a statement. "I would be honored to be one of them."

Montgomery's background

If Montgomery is selected, he will have to resign as county attorney. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement to serve out Montgomery's term, which expires in 2020.

The appointment process will be determined by the board, should a vacancy occur.

Montgomery has served as county attorney since 2010, gaining a reputation as a tough defender of the death penalty and resister of sentencing reforms.

Before his election as county attorney, Montgomery worked at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, first as a prosecutor and later as bureau chief of the Auto Theft Bureau and deputy county attorney.

Other applicants

This will be Ducey's fourth appointment to the seven-member Arizona Supreme Court.He's also appointed justices Clint Bolick, Andrew Gould and John Lopez IV.

Currently, six men and one woman serve as justices.

Neither Lopez nor Bolick had served as judges in the lower courts before Ducey selected them.

Several others have applied for the position:

Paul V. Avelar of the Institute for Justice.

James P. Beene, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division I.

Sean E. Brearcliffe, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division II.

Kent E. Cattani, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division I.

Maria Elena Cruz, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division I.

David J. Euchner of the Pima County Public Defender’s Office.

Richard E. Gordon, a Pima County Superior Court judge.

Randall M. Howe, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division I.

Andrew M. Jacobs of Snell & Wilmer, LLP.

Regina L. Nassen of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

Jennifer M. Perkins, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge – Division I.

Timothy M. Wright, a Gila County Superior Court judge.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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