Ben Cardin: “I think Richard Jones is well qualified and should be confirmed for the U.S. District Court in the Western District of…”

“I think Richard Jones is well qualified and should be confirmed for the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Washington. I think Sharion Aycock is well qualified, and I strongly support her confirmation to the District Court in Mississippi. In regard to Jennifer Walker Elrod, for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Fifth Circuit, I opposed her nomination in the Judiciary Committee, and I take this time to explain to my colleagues why I believe she should not be confirmed. Let me begin by saying that I agree with my friend from Texas about Judge Elrod's commitment to pro bono legal services. She served as chair of the board of the Gulf Coast Legal Foundation, now known as Loan Star Legal Aid, the largest provider of pro bono services in southeast Texas. That is important to me because I think all lawyers have a responsibility to help out to make sure our system is available to all. After serving 8 years in private practice as an associate of Baker Botts in Houston, TX, she was appointed to the bench by the Governor in 2002 as a judge, the 190th District Court in Houston, TX. She was reelected to the bench in 2006. However, no one is entitled to a circuit court judgeship.”