Work Continues on U.S. Attorney Post

Press Release

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today released details on the efforts of his office to assist in naming a new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Boozman, the state's lone Republican Member of Congress, continues his work to determine a list of potential candidates for the Eastern District position. The process has also included conversations with both of Arkansas' U.S. Senators, Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), which Boozman has called "positive."

Boozman undertook the search following Interim U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin's decision to remove himself from consideration for a nomination to the Senate.

"It is imperative that the process to replace Tim be as transparent as possible," Boozman said. "My goal is to collect input from many sources in order to make my recommendation to the President. Recently, I have had good, direct discussions with both Sens. Lincoln and Pryor. Both have expressed their thoughts on the position. It is a pleasure to work with them for the benefit of the people of Arkansas.

"In addition to the input I have received from both Senators, I have also had helpful conversations with other sources both Republican and Democratic. I have also had the opportunity to speak with potential Arkansas candidates about their interest in the position. All of these discussions have been preliminary in nature and will remain private as I consider the possibilities.

"As has been reported previously, it is my goal to produce a list of three strong candidates to forward to the White House for consideration. Once I have determined the candidates and submitted the list, my office will make it public as we have previously done in similar situations.

"Many factors, such as the short term the future U.S. Attorney could potentially serve, are having an effect on the development of the list. In my discussions with Sen. Pryor, he has indicated that, under the best of circumstances, a nominee could take anywhere from six to nine months to be confirmed by the Senate. Because of this, I will work to provide the administration the strongest slate of choices who I feel can best work in the interest of Arkansans.

"The U.S. Attorney serves at the pleasure of the President, and is a political appointment. I feel Tim Griffin, who served his nation honorably in Iraq, would be an excellent Eastern District attorney. I commend him for his service, and respect his choice to remove himself from consideration.

"I am proud to be involved in this process, working to find a positive solution to this issue which is so important to the people of the State of Arkansas."

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