Abbott appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to serve as chief justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, the governor's office announced Monday.

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock as the new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, succeeding Nathan Hecht.

Blacklock replaces Nathan Hecht, the longest serving justice on the high court. Gov. Greg Abbott also appointed his general counsel, James Sullivan, to the bench.

Abbott originally appointed Blacklock to the high court as the Place 2 justice in 2018. Abbott's general counsel James Sullivan will replace Blacklock as a new justice.