Obama nominates a new federal judge for Idaho, David Nye | McClatchy Washington Bureau

President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated David Nye to serve as a federal judge for the state of Idaho.

Nye has served as a district judge for Idaho’s 6th Judicial District Court since 2007, presiding over both civil and criminal cases. He would replace Judge Edward Lodge, who announced his plans to retire in 2014 but has continued working part time.

“I am confident he will serve the American people with distinction,” Obama said in a statement.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate, where dozens of other judicial nominees are already awaiting votes.

Before becoming a judge, from 1987 to 2007, Nye worked at the Pocatello law firm of Merrill & Merrill, Chartered, where he specialized in medical malpractice and insurance law. He joined the law firm as an associate in 1987 and became a partner in 1989.

Nye began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge George G. Granata of Idaho’s 5th Judicial District Court from 1986 to 1987. He received degrees from Brigham Young University in 1982 and from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young in 1986.

In a joint statement, Republicans Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch said they would urge the Senate to vote for Nye.

“The nomination of Judge Nye is the result of a productive consultation process between the Idaho Senate delegation, the president and his team,” Crapo said.

Risch called it “a long and difficult process” that involved different candidates.

“I am happy that we have settled on a sound and principled jurist who will be an outstanding judge,” he said.

Nye is a California native. He and his wife, Katre, have eight children.