Gov. Eric J. Holcomb Wednesday announced Mary DeBoer as his appointment to the Porter County Circuit Court.

DeBoer will succeed Judge Mary Harper, who will retire on Dec. 31. Judge Harper holds the distinction of being the longest serving woman in the Indiana judiciary.

Following her graduation from law school, DeBoer served as a deputy prosecutor in Starke and Porter counties. DeBoer has also been in private practice. Since 2011, she has served as a magistrate for the Porter County Superior Courts in Valparaiso. 

DeBoer earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

She will be sworn into office on a date to be determined.