File photo of Oregon Court of Appeals judge Chris Garrett. Courtesy of the Office of the Governor

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has appointed appeals court judge Chris Garrett to the state's supreme court.

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Garrett is taking over for Justice Rives Kistler, who’s retiring at the end of the year. This marks Brown's fifth appointment to the state's highest court.

“Judge Garrett is a talented, thoughtful, and even-keeled jurist who is passionate about Oregon’s courts and the rule of law,” Brown said in a statement Monday.

“He brings to our high court the experience of a respected civil litigator, an effective state legislator, and a productive appellate judge. His brilliant mind and collegial style will be tremendous assets to the court and the people of Oregon.”

Garrett wrote the appeals court opinion upholding the state’s Bureau of Labor and Industries fine against a Gresham bakery that refused to sell a wedding cake to a lesbian couple. He also served as a Democrat in the Oregon House from 2009-2013, representing Lake Oswego and southwest Portland.

Garrett spent a decade practicing law at Perkins Coie in Portland.

His appointment takes effect on January 1. He'll be up for election in November 2020.

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