The Senate Judiciary Committee has given a favorable recommendation to both nominees for South Dakota’s open federal district judge seats, paving the way for a vote on the Senate floor.
The two nominees are circuit court judge Camela Theeler and Sioux Falls attorney Eric Schulte. Both were nominated by the Biden Administration.
The committee on Thursday voted to send both nominees to Senate with a favorable recommendation. Theeler's recommendation came with only one "no" vote - Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. Schulte's vote of 12 in favor against nine opposed was split along party lines, though Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina bucked fellow Republicans in voting in favor of Schulte's recommendation.
Last month, both candidates testified in front of the committee as part of the nomination process.
Theeler and Schulte must next receive a majority vote in the full Senate to be named to the seat. Both nominees have the backing of South Dakota Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds.
A date for the Senate vote has not been set.
One of the vacant seats was left open after Judge Jeffrey Viken of Rapid City announced his retirement in September of 2021. The other opening comes after Judge Karen Schreier of Sioux Falls announced plans to retire in January of 2023.
