I don’t think any of us saw this one coming:

Justice Carlos Moreno, the California Supreme Court’s only Democratic appointee and Latino and the author of some of its most important gay-rights opinions, unexpectedly announced his retirement Thursday, creating a vacancy for new Gov. Jerry Brown to fill.

Moreno, 62, a former federal judge who joined the court in October 2001, is stepping down Feb. 28, less than four months after winning voter approval for a new 12-year term. He said the reasons for his decision include family concerns, finances and Brown’s election.

Moreno was the lone dissenter in the 2009 decision that upheld the dubious constitutionality of Prop 8, and was part of the 4-3 majority for overturning Prop 22, and therefore legalizing same-sex marriage, in May 2008. Moreno was also the lone dissenter from an August 2010 decision upholding the anti-affirmative action initiative Prop 209, which passed back in 1996.

Moreno’s departure leaves the State Supreme Court with no Latino members, in a state where Latinos are almost the largest population group. The first Latino on the bench, Cruz Reynoso, was appointed by Jerry Brown in 1982 but was recalled in 1986 when he, Joseph Grodin and Rose Bird were kicked off the bench by voters whipped up into a pro-death penalty frenzy by conservative activists.

Brown absolutely should appoint a Latino to replace Moreno, and there are a wealth of good Latino judges in the state who would make a good fit – especially those who share Moreno’s commitment to social justice.