Senate confirms Oklahoma high court justice to federal judgeship
Published in The Oklahoman
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Patrick Wyrick to be a federal judge in Oklahoma City, filling a spot that has remained open for years because of partisan politics.
Wyrick, 38, was confirmed by a vote of 53-47, with only Republicans in support. He will fill the vacancy created when U.S. District Judge David L. Russell took senior status.
Republicans blocked the first nominee for the spot, Suzanne Mitchell, who was former President Barack Obama’s selection in 2015.
Democrats blocked a vote last year on Wyrick, who was first nominated by President Donald Trump in April 2018. Wyrick was tapped for the judgeship again this year; a rule change pushed through last week by Senate Republicans allowed for a vote on his nomination and those for other district judgeships.