Georgia senator under fire for blocking Hispanic nominee for federal judge
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 03: Republican candidate for U.S. Senate David Perdue (R) speaks at a campaign stop one day before the mid-term elections at Peachtree Dekalb Airport on November 3, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. Perdue is in a tight race with Democratic challenger Michelle Nunn. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) (2014 Getty Images)
Republican Sen. David Perdue of Georgia said Thursday he won't support President Barack Obama's nominee for a federal judgeship in Georgia, essentially scuttling the choice.
Perdue said in a statement that the nomination is "unattainable" in the Senate because of concerns about Dax Lopez having been a board member of a Hispanic advocacy group that lobbies against tougher immigration laws. Lopez worked with the group while he was a judge.
Lopez was appointed as a judge in the State Court of DeKalb County in 2010 by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican and the senator's cousin. Both of Georgia's U.S. senators must sign off on Obama's nomination for it to go forward in the Senate.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Perdue said he remains "uncomfortable" with Lopez's ties even after a meeting with the judge.
"I believe similar concerns would be raised by many of my colleagues, making Judge Lopez's final confirmation unattainable," he said in a statement.
Georgia's other U.S. senator, Republican Johnny Isakson, said he respects Perdue's decision, "but I am disappointed that Judge Lopez won't get a hearing." Lopez did not return a call for comment.
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