Democratic Lawyer Challenges Hans Von Spakovsky's Nomination To FEC

J. Gerald Herbert, a Democratic lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor, has asked the Senate Rules Committee to reject the nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission.

Herbert, who represented Texas Democrats involved in the 2003 Texas redistricting fight in the Lone Star State, said in a letter to Feinstein today that von Spakovsky, when he served in DOJ's Civil Rights Division, displayed a " lack of even-handedness and impartiality while at DOJ [that] diminished the rights of minority voters — victims of discrimination that Mr. von Spakovsky was duty bound to protect."

Herbert added: "Instead, as explained below, Mr. von Spakovsky elevated purely partisan considerations over the protection of minority voting rights."

Von Spakovsky, who is currently serving on the FEC under a recess appointment, will be considered for a permanent position by the Rules Committee next week.