Senate Confirms Candace Jackson-Akiwumi to the Seventh Circuit

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate confirmed Candace Jackson-Akiwumi to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit by a bipartisan vote of 53-40.  U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on her confirmation:

“Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi has devoted her life to defending the rule of law, including spending ten years as a federal public defender—representing hundreds of indigent clients at every stage of the legal process and providing them with their constitutional right to counsel.  With her qualifications, temperament, and range of experience, Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi will be an outstanding addition to the Seventh Circuit bench.”

The Seventh Circuit—which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—includes more than 7.5 million people of color.  However, there are currently no judges of color on the Seventh Circuit.  Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi will be the second person of color ever to sit on the Seventh Circuit.  The Seventh Circuit has also never had a former federal defender on the bench.

Last month, Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi was advanced out of Committee by a vote of 12-10.

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