02.28.19

Hoeven: Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination of Drew Wrigley

Committee Also Considers Peter Welte’s Nomination, Committee Vote Expected Next Week

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced by voice vote the nomination of former Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley to again serve as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota. Wrigley’s nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration. 

As is customary under a Judiciary Committee rule, the nomination of Peter Welte to serve as the U.S. District Court Judge for North Dakota was considered by the Committee and is expected to be voted on next week.  

“Peter and Drew bring the right collection of experience, character and values to help ensure we maintain the rule of law and preserve public safety,” said Hoeven. “Today, the Judiciary Committee advanced Drew’s nomination to the full Senate, and we expect Peter’s nomination to advance to the full Senate next week. These are qualified candidates and they deserve prompt consideration. I will continue working to confirm Peter and Drew to their new posts as soon as possible.”

PETER WELTE

Welte, who Hoeven introduced at his confirmation hearing earlier this month, has a broad range of legal experience both in the public and private sectors. He is currently in private practice, emphasizing in criminal defense and agricultural law, and is also serving a second term on the Board of Governors of the State Bar Association of North Dakota. From 2002 through 2015, Welte served as the State’s Attorney of Grand Forks County, the top prosecutor for the county. Welte received his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University in 1989 and graduated with distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1997. 

DREW WRIGLEY

Wrigley served as Lt. Governor of North Dakota from 2010 to 2016. Prior to that, he served as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota from 2001 to 2009, the top federal law enforcement officer for the state. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics with honors from the University of North Dakota and is a graduate of the American University Washington College of Law. Following law school, Wrigley served as a prosecuting attorney in the Office of the Fargo City Attorney and as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia from 1993 to 1998. 

-###-