U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham introduced Sheria Clarke, President Trump’s nominee to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Mar. 25.
The nomination is significant because it reflects ongoing efforts to place experienced legal professionals in federal judicial positions. Clarke currently practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, and has years of experience in the legal field.
Graham outlined Clarke’s background during his introduction, noting her service under former U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy and her role as a federal prosecutor in South Carolina. “[Sheria Clarke] served for a decade on Capitol Hill, first as Counsel [for the] House Ethics Committee – which you probably learned a lot about bipartisanship there. And then as Counsel [on] the Select Committee on Benghazi before returning to the Ethics Committee, and that’s where [she] met Trey [Gowdy],” Graham said.
He also highlighted her work at Nelson Mullins: “She has served as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina where she handled both civil and criminal cases. She is currently a partner at Nelson Mullins, which is one of the bigger, more prestigious firms in the state.” Graham added that colleagues have described Clarke as “highly intelligent, even-keeled and humble.… I believe, of all the people we could have picked to serve [as a] federal district judge in South Carolina, we could not have done better than you.” He concluded by telling Clarke: “You [have] absolutely lived a stellar life. You deserve this nomination, and the people of South Carolina would benefit from your ability to be a fair-minded judge if you get on that court.”
Graham has held several leadership roles throughout his career including serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee according to his official website. He also served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves with retirement rank of colonel according to his official website. Raised in Central, South Carolina by a blue-collar family who ran a local restaurant and pool hall according to his official website, Graham obtained both undergraduate and law degrees from University of South Carolina according to his official website.
In addition to representing South Carolina in the Senate according to his official website, he serves on several committees including Appropriations; Judiciary; Environment and Public Works; while focusing on fiscal responsibility and national security issues.
