WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has nominated U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio.
Pitman, who is openly gay, made history in 2011 when he became the first openly gay U.S. attorney in Texas. His confirmation to the court would be another historic event, as he would become the first openly gay federal judge in the state.
Pitman, a former magistrate judge in Austin, has led the San Antonio-based federal prosecuting office since 2011. He had also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the same district from 1990 to 2003, including a stint as the interim U.S. Attorney in 2001.
Megan Mitchell, and aide to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said both Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz recommended the picks to the president, reported The Dallas Morning News.
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The nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
According to the White House, 10 of Obama’s confirmed federal judges have been openly gay or lesbian compared to only one prior to 2009, confirmed by President Bill Clinton.
