Merit selection panel will recommend candidates for

 

            WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold announced the activation of an 11-member federal nominating commission responsible for making recommendations for the Federal Judgeship vacancy in the Western District of Wisconsin and the U.S. Attorney vacancy in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Members of the Commission, which has been in existence in Wisconsin since 1979, serve two-year terms.  The Commission helps the Senators fulfill their Constitutional duty to advise the President on federal nominations.            

 

"For 30 years, Wisconsin has had a tradition of using independent panels to help senators recommend candidates for federal appointments.  The fair and independent advice we receive from the commission is an invaluable part of our vetting process for federal nominations.  I look forward to hearing the recommendations from this distinguished group," Kohl said. 

           

"Wisconsin has a model system for the way we handle judicial appointments," Feingold said.  "The system has worked well for thirty years and continues to ensure public confidence in the nominating process."

           

The commission charter details the number of members each Senator may appoint based on the political party of the Senators and the President.  Kohl nominated Stephen Glynn and Nathan Fishbach, both of Milwaukee, Christine Bremer Muggli, of Wausau, and Michelle Behnke, of Madison, to the commission; Feingold nominated Ken Calewarts of Green Bay, Chuck Curtis of Madison, Peg Lautenschlager of Fond du Lac, and Harvey Temkin of Madison.   The commission is chaired by the Dean of Marquette University law school for the Eastern district vacancy and by the Dean of the University of Wisconsin law school for the Western district vacancy. The commission is rounded out by two members chosen by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Susan Hansen of Milwaukee and Thomas Sleik of La Crosse.

 

            Use of a federal nominating commission to recommend choices for vacancies in the federal judicial system dates back to 1979, when it was instituted by Wisconsin Senators Gaylord Nelson and William Proxmire.