Janet DiFiore is the state's new chief judge. The governor's pick for the state's highest court was confirmed unanimously by the full Senate Thursday.
After delaying its vote by a day, the state Senate on Thursday confirmed Janet DiFiore to be the chief judge for the Court of Appeals, the second woman in state history to hold the post.
DiFiore, who had been Westchester County district attorney, was confirmed unanimously with a vote that seemed more like a formality.
On Wednesday, DiFiore testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"I left there thinking that this chief judge will be fair and get the court to evaluate every case on its merits," said state Senator Ken LaValle, whose district covers parts of Long Island.
DiFiore will replace Jonathan Lippman, who retired as chief judge late last year.
DiFiore, who has close ties to Governor Andrew Cuomo, drew praise from Republicans and Democrats alike.
"Because of who you are and what you've already done and the spirit and the integrity and the intelligence and the down-to-earthness of who you are, I know that you will continue to build on the legacy of those phenomenal chief justices," said Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
After her confirmation, DiFiore bolted past reporters, declining to make herself available for interviews.
Cuomo congratulated DiFiore in a statement. He was not in Albany for her confirmation. In fact, even though the legislative session is now in full swing, Cuomo hasn't been in the Capitol since his State of the State address last week.