Blumenthal cautiously optimistic about role in appeals court appointment

Sen. Richard Blumenthal Sen. Richard Blumenthal Photo: Dan Haar / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Dan Haar / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Blumenthal cautiously optimistic about role in appeals court appointment 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The fight over judgeships in the U.S. Senate isn’t limited to the Supreme Court, as we may witness now that Judge Christopher Droney, a former West Hartford mayor, is retiring from regular, active service on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.

Senators traditionally have a lot of say in appointing federal judges. Tradition and Trump don’t mix, of course, but Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he’s optimistic he and Sen. Chris Murphy will have a strong say in the matter.

“If we’re involved as I hope and expect we will be, we will convene … a nonpartisan committee of legal experts, practicing lawyers, litigators, scholars, ordinary citizens, to help propose some names and review the applicants,” Blumenthal said after a press conference about the Mueller report.

“Then we’ll consult with the White House. We’ve actually had a fairly cordial and productive relationship with the White House on judgeships so far.”

He said the 2018 appointment of Judge Kari A. Dooley, who sits in federal court in Bridgeport, was collegial, and another Connecticut appointment is coming up. He met this month with Trump's point man on judges and it went well.

“We had a very amicable conversation about judgeships and other issues,” Blumenthal said.

Murphy, in a written statement, said, “I look forward to working closely with Senator Blumenthal to vet candidates and find a fair minded, qualified nominee to fill Judge Droney’s position.”

Their optimism is cautious. Elsewhere among circuit court judge appointments, “there have been difficulties, like in California," Blumenthal said. But overall among federal district court judges: “I would say it’s been relatively amicable and cordial and very cooperative.”

dhaar@hearstmediact.com