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Committee picked to help pick federal judges in Seattle

SEATTLE — A bipartisan committee will help select candidates for federal judgeships in Seattle.

At least two U.S. District Court Judges — Robert Lasnik and Marsha Pechman — intend to take senior status early next year, and a third, Judge James Robart, is also eligible. Senior status typically means a reduced case load and creates a vacancy on the bench.

Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert on Wednesday in announcing they had picked three Democrats and three Republicans for the committee, which will recommend candidates for President Barack Obama to nominate.