New Jersey's two senators plan to block judicial nomination

AP | 8/29/03

[kattracks]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's two U.S. senators plan to oppose President Bush's nomination of Peter Sheridan as the next federal judge in Camden, saying the appointment should go to a South Jersey resident.

Their opposition to Sheridan, a Mercer County resident and a member of former Gov. Thomas H. Kean's staff, will delay and may end his chance of being confirmed by the Senate. Sheridan was nominated earlier this month to fill a U.S. District Court seat now held by Stephen M. Orlofsky, who plans to return to private practice after six years on the federal bench

David Wald, a spokesman for Sen. Jon Corzine, and Alex Formuzis, a spokesman for Sen. Frank Lautenberg, said Thursday that the two Democrats believe the White House ignored requests to honor regional concerns by choosing Sheridan, who lives in Princeton Junction. Among the candidates bypassed was deputy U.S. Attorney Lee A. Solomon, a Haddonfield resident who serves as federal prosecutor for South Jersey.

"(Corzine) can't be any more clear. He is willing to fight against (Sheridan's) nomination," Wald said Thursday.

Sheridan, 53, is a senior partner with the Trenton law firm of Graham, Curtin and Sheridan. A Seton Hall Law School graduate, he has represented state Republicans for a decade, and last year sought to prevent a late ballot substitution for former Democratic Sen. Robert G. Torricelli.

Lautenberg eventually took Torricelli's place on the ballot, but Formuzis said the senator does not question Sheridan's qualifications and holds "no ill will" toward him regarding the legal fight.

Federal judges are subject to confirmation by the Senate. By tradition, the Senate does not move forward on a judicial nomination if a home-state senator wants to block it.

[EGPWS]

New Jersey's two U.S. senators plan to oppose President Bush's nomination of Peter Sheridan as the next federal judge in Camden, saying the appointment should go to a South Jersey resident.

That is Shocking!!!

[Caipirabob]

Is it possible to recall the Rat senators who have participated in any of the blocked judicial nominations? That's quite a bit of research that I personally don't have time for, but if possible, there's a LOT of disgust out there right now.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Frankie and Johnny ain't gonna get recalled - not the way Noo Joisey votes!

[ditto h]

We have Corzine,Lautenberg,and McGreevey, and the morons in this state wonder why there are so many jokes about Jersey.