Sen. Pete Domenici has recommended four attorneys to replace David Iglesias as the state’s next U.S. attorney, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
They are Jim Bibb of Santa Fe, who ran unsuccessfully against Gary King for attorney general last year; T. Glenn Ellington of Santa Fe; Charles Peifer of Albuquerque; and Pat Rogers of Albuquerque.
Though a timeline has not been set, U.S. Attorney David Iglesias plans to step down in the next few months at the request of higher-ups in Washington, most likely because of the recent acquittal on most counts of former state Treasurer Robert Vigil and delays in the prosecution of another public corruption case currently under investigation.
Domenici made the recommendations at the request of the Bush Administration.
“It is my pleasure to recommend four individuals that I believe would serve New Mexico and the nation with distinction as United States Attorney for our state,” Domenici said in a news release. “I am familiar with each of them, and I believe that they have the necessary legal backgrounds and right temperament for the job.”
It’s up to President Bush to nominate a new U.S. attorney, and the Senate will then consider whether to confirm that person.
Bibb is a former assistant U.S. attorney. Ellington is a former secretary of the state Taxation and Revenue Department and state judge. Peifer is a former chief assistant attorney general for the state. Rogers has done a lot of work for the state Republican Party and is heavily involved in the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.
Sen. Pete Domenici has recommended four attorneys to replace David Iglesias as the state’s next