In a decisive move, the U.S. Senate granted its approval to elevate U.S. Magistrate Judge Joshua Kolar to a prestigious position on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, marking President Joe Biden’s 40th confirmed appointment to a federal appeals court. Kolar, a seasoned figure in both the judiciary and the U.S. Navy Reserve, now becomes the fourth Biden appointee on the Chicago-based appellate court.
The Democratic-led Senate showed overwhelming support, with a 66-25 vote in favor of Kolar serving as a life-tenured judge. This particular court, responsible for adjudicating cases from Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, already includes three other Biden-appointed judges among its ranks.
Kolar’s background is notably diverse, having served as a federal magistrate judge since 2018 while concurrently holding the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 2009. His active duty in Afghanistan from 2014 to 2015 and his role as a naval intelligence officer have provided him with a unique perspective, something he emphasized during his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September.
“I try to make sure that I’m rigorously analyzing anything that comes before me and taking into account all relevant facts,” Kolar stated, drawing upon his military experience as an integral part of his judicial approach.
His confirmation was notably eased by the bipartisan support he received from both Republican senators of his home state, Todd Young and Mike Braun. Their endorsement, though not mandatory, played a pivotal role in expediting the confirmation process.
As Kolar assumes his position on the 7th Circuit, the court’s composition is set to include seven active judges appointed by Republican presidents and four by Democrats. President Biden has already appointed the entirety of the Democratic faction on the court, including Kolar, Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, John Lee, and Doris Pryor. The imminent departure of U.S. Circuit Judge Ilana Rovner, an appointee of Republican former President George H.W. Bush, presents an opportunity for Biden to nominate a fifth judge.
This confirmation solidifies President Biden’s influence on the federal judiciary, with 172 of his nominees now confirmed by the Senate. While several other nominations are pending, the president continues to shape the landscape of the nation’s midlevel federal appeals courts.
