Chief Justice Ronald George resigning

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California Chief Justice Ronald M. George announced Wednesday that he is stepping down. George has led the state’s highest court since he was appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson in 1996.

The state’s top jurist said he won’t seek reelection in November. His last day in office will be Jan. 2.

“Why file for reelection for another 12-year term, after having authored hundreds of judicial opinions and overseen major administrative reforms in the judicial system; what more do you hope to accomplish other than refining and preserving what has been achieved?” George said in a statement.

In 2008, George ruled the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. That decision stood until voters approved Proposition 8, which amended the constitution and explicitly made same-sex unions illegal.

Read more on LA Now. --Anthony York in Sacramento