Judge Whaley Wins Federal Court Post

The U.S. Senate on Friday approved the nomination of Judge Robert Whaley to U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington, Sens. Patty Murray and Slade Gorton said.

Whaley, a Spokane County Superior Court judge, fielded questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week and was approved by a vote of the full Senate Friday.Said Gorton, “I am very pleased that we will have as able and as intelligent a man as Judge Whaley on the U.S. District Court, and I offer him my heartiest congratulations.”

Murray and Gorton, R-Wash., recommended Whaley for nomination to President Clinton. Whaley will fill the vacancy left by Judge Justin Quackenbush, who is moving into semi-retired senior status.

A replacement for Whaley on the Superior Court bench hasn’t been named. Gov. Mike Lowry could appoint someone, or leave the seat open until the fall election.

, DataTimes