The New York state Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to advance the nomination of Shirley Troutman for a vote in the full Senate, bringing Troutman one step closer to a seat on the state’s highest court.

Troutman, who is currently an associate justice in the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, answered questions from committee members in a virtual session Tuesday morning. She was nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to replace Judge Eugene Fahey, who reached the mandatory retirement age in 2021.