Texas Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson resigns

Outgoing Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, Wallace Jefferson. PHOTO/AP

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson plans to resign effective October 1 2013.

The first African American member of the Texas Supreme Court said Tuesday he doesn’t have another job lined up. Jefferson says he remains open to work that’s challenging and meaningful.

The 50-year-old Jefferson plans to spend more time with his wife and three sons. One attends Southern Methodist University, another is in high school and his third son is an eighth-grader.

Jefferson, after a dozen years on the state’s highest civil court, earns US$170,000 annually including the latest raise approved by the Legislature.

Jefferson has informed Texas Govenor Rick Perry of his plans. Perry in 2001 named Jefferson to the court and appointed him chief justice in 2004. Jefferson’s current term runs through 2014.

Perry’s office didn’t immediately comment.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press