3 men nominated for U.S. District judge

Wenatchee attorney Stanley Bastian, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Rice and Spokane attorney Les Weatherhead have been nominated for federal judge in the Eastern District of Washington.

U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell forwarded their names Friday to President Barack Obama for consideration after a bipartisan committee selected them.

Weatherhead represents the Cowles Co., which publishes The Spokesman-Review.

The White House will most likely make the final selection from those three, Murray spokesman Matt McAlvanah said.

The appointee would replace U.S. District Judge Robert Whaley, who recently took senior status.