Gov. Patrick Taps Outgoing Cabinet Member For Mass. Bench

Gov. Deval Patrick has nominated outgoing state Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan to serve as a district court judge.

Heffernan, who has served in Patrick's Cabinet since 2010, but was recently one of several secretaries to announce that they would not remain in their posts for the final two years of Patrick's term.

The governor said in a statement Friday that Heffernan has a strong commitment to public service and will be an excellent judge.

Patrick has named Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral to succeed Heffernan as public safety secretary.

The governor Friday also nominated Michael McCarthy, a Pittsfield attorney, to be an associate justice of the Southern Berkshire District Court.

All judicial nominations must be confirmed by the eight-member Governor's Council.