07.15.03

Cantwell Commends the Confirmation of Washington State Federal District Judge Lonny Suko

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today commended the U.S. Senate on the confirmation of Lonny Suko to the Federal District Court for Eastern Washington. The Senate unanimously approved Lonny Suko 94-0.

"I am very pleased that Lonny Suko was confirmed by the Senate today," said Cantwell. "Lonny Suko has federal judicial experience, a sound judicial temperament, and the respect of the legal community. With 28 years of experience on the federal bench, elevating him to be a federal district court judge is a natural step."

Lonny Suko's nomination was the result of an Eastern Washington based judicial selection committee. The selection committee process was negotiated between Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray and the White House. Local Members of Congress, Cantwell and Murray selected six qualified members of the legal community in Eastern Washington; three qualified candidates were then sent to the President. The White House agreed that Lonny Suko is extremely well qualified for this position.

Cantwell added, "I wish Judge Suko well in his new position and have confidence that he will be an excellent addition to our distinguished federal bench."

Lonny Suko has been a full time Federal magistrate judge in Yakima, since 1995 and, before that, he was a part time magistrate judge from 1971 until 1991. Prior to his work as a judge, Suko worked in the private sector where he devoted his career to plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation as well as extensive mediation work.

The Eastern District vacancy was created when U.S. District Judge Nielsen retired in May.