WASHINGTON — The collapse of the planned nomination of Chad Meredith to become a federal judge in eastern Kentucky likely means the court will remain in its current form for months as the White House looks to steer clear of further political headaches with the midterm elections approaching.
Sen. Mitch McConnell said on Monday there’s “no vacancy unless someone else is confirmed,” indicating that Judge Karen Caldwell would continue to serve on the bench unless consensus developed around a replacement.
Caldwell’s name remains on a list of future judicial vacancies to this day, but the timing of her departure is characterized as “to be determined,” meaning it is likely predicated on finding her successor, a prospect that analysts say is remote in the near-term.
