Sandoval to go before Senate Judiciary panel

Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 | 10:05 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval is scheduled to appear at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday as the panel considers his nomination to be a U.S. District Court judge in Nevada. Sandoval is expected to win approval from the panel and the full Senate. The committee could vote as early as next week, a spokesman said today.

President Bush nominated Sandoval for the job March 1. The Judiciary Committee has been trying to move swiftly with pending nominations this fall amid a busy schedule, even as it handles two Supreme Court vacancies. The panel voted last week to approve John Roberts as a replacement for Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and it is awaiting the nomination of a candidate to fill the seat of retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Gov. Kenny Guinn last week announced that he will name Las Vegas attorney and Republican George Chanos to replace Sandoval.

Sandoval was elected to his current post in 2002. He has been a Nevada state assemblyman and served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.