New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Monday nominated Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce A. Harris (R) to the state Supreme Court.

If approved, Harris would become the first openly gay person and the third African-American to serve on the state’s highest court. The announcement comes as New Jersey lawmakers prepare to debate a bill that would make New Jersey the seventh state to legalize gay marriage.

Bruce A. Harris (born 1951) is an American lawyer and politician.  He has served as mayor of Chatham Borough, New Jersey since January 2012. He previously served on the Chatham Borough Council from 2004 to 2012.Harris attended Amherst College, graduated magna cum laude. He earned an MBA from the Boston University Graduate School of Management and a JD from Yale Law School.

After eight years on the borough council, Harris ran for mayor of Chatham Borough in November 2011, defeating Democratic incumbent Nelson Vaughan.  Harris took office as mayor in January 2012.

Congratulation on the nomination and making gay black history!