nativesunnews.today<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/P>\r\nSIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — Two Native American lawyers with impressive resumes are seeking an appointment to the federal bench.
<\/P>\r\nTracey Zephier and Sarah Collins are vying with former Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for the seat to be vacated by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Viken of Rapid City, who will move to senior status on September 1.
<\/P>\r\nPresident Joe Biden will make the decision on who will replace Viken. It\u2019s a lifetime appointment and requires the\u00a0approval of the U.S. Senate.
<\/P>\r\nBiden also will name appointees to several other South Dakota posts, including U.S. attorney, U.S. marshal and two leadership positions in U.S. Department of Agriculture posts.\u00a0Those jobs regularly turn over when there is a change in presidential administrations.
<\/P>\r\nThe federal judge post, however, only opens when a judge retires or dies. South Dakota has five federal judges, all of whom were appointed by either President Bill Clinton or President Barack Obama.
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