Senate approves first black female judge for Western circuit

WASHINGTON - Days after accusations flew in the Capitol of racism and sexism in judicial selections, the Senate has approved the first black female judge for a powerful appellate circuit.

Senators approved Johnnie Rawlinson by voice vote Friday for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The court's caseload is almost double the average number of cases handled by any of the 12 other circuits.

When Rawlinson was sworn in a U.S. District judge in Nevada in June 1998, she was the first black woman to hold a position on the U.S. District Court in Nevada. Before becoming a judge, she spent 18 years with the office of the district attorney.

Her 9th Circuit nomination had been pending since February. Appellate judges receive lifetime appointments.

Rawlinson was approved Friday along with four U.S. District judges, Dennis Cavanaugh of New Jersey and three judges from Florida: John Steele, James Moody and Gregory Presnell.

This comes after members of the Congressional Black Caucus asserted in a statement circulated Wednesday that delays in approving minority and female judges showed racist and sexist tendencies in Senate.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, denied the accusations and said more minority and female judges have been approved by the Senate under his chairmanship than ever before.

The committee voted out Rawlinson's nomination Thursday. She was approved the next day.