As predicted by the Star-Ledger’s Josh Margolin in June, Rumson resident James R. Zazzali, Associate Justice on the state Supreme Court, is Gov. Jon Corzine’s choice to succeed Chief Justice Deborah Poritz upon her expected retirement next month, according to the Associated Press.

Citing an unnamed source, the AP also reports that Corzine will nominate Appellate Court Judge Helen E. Hoens as an associate high court justice. Corzine is expected to make a formal announcement this morning.

Zazzali, a Democrat, was appointed to the high court by by then-Gov. Christie Whitman, a Republican, in 2000.

If confirmed, he’s unlikely to hold the job for long, because the state Constitution requires that justices retire at age 70, a milestone Zazzali will reach in a year. Poritz turns 70 in October.

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