Gov. Kathy Hochul’s nominee to serve as chief justice of the state Court of Appeals has been rejected.

The state Senate rejected Hector LaSalle’s nomination by a vote of 39-20 on Wednesday. 

MORE: New York Senate Judiciary Committee rejects Gov. Hochul's pick of Hector LaSalle for top judge

Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee failed to move LaSalle’s nomination to a full vote, but Senate Republicans and the governor argued the state Constitution required a full vote.

On Wednesday, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the full Senate would vote.

Democrats believe Wednesday's vote puts an end to the lawsuit, but Republicans don’t agree.

After the vote, Gov. Hochul said she would work toward making a new nomination.

LaSalle would have been the state’s first Hispanic chief judge.

Hochul released the following statement: 

"As I have said from the very beginning, the Constitution requires a full Senate vote on a Governor's nomination for Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. While long overdue, the Senate has finally acquiesced to a vote on the floor on the nomination of Justice Hector LaSalle.

"This vote is an important victory for the Constitution. But it was not a vote on the merits of Justice LaSalle, who is an overwhelmingly qualified and talented jurist.

"Now that the full Senate has taken a vote, I will work toward making a new nomination. I remain committed to selecting a qualified candidate to lead the court and deliver justice. That is what New Yorkers deserve."