By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) announced that her office will accept applications for recommendations to fill the federal judgeship vacancy created by Judge Lynwood Smith taking senior status. Smith served in the Northern District of Alabama Huntsville division.
Alabama’s only Democratic Congress member announced that she has set up a Screening Committee for federal judgeships in Alabama. President Obama will ultimately descide who will get nominated for the judgeship, but as the only Democratic Congress member in Alabama, Sewell has much more influence on who gets nominated than any of the Republican congressional members due to the partisan nature of how Washington functions.
Congresswoman Sewell said in a prepared statement:
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Judge Lynwood Smith for the more than 18 years of service he has rendered as a US District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama. Judge Smith has served this nation and our state with distinction and I wish him well. By setting up a Screening Committee of legal scholars, jurists and practitioners and opening the process to all who want to be considered, we ensure a transparent process that will help me make the best recommendations to the President.”
Applications are due on Friday, September 6, 2013.
