On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sarah Russell to serve on the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, a move by Democrats to secure judicial appointments before potentially losing their majority.
Russell was confirmed by a 50-44 vote, after clearing a procedural vote by a similar margin. She succeeds Sarah Merriam, who was elevated to a federal appellate court.
Russell, a former public defender, has significant experience in law education, teaching at Quinnipiac University since 2011 and previously lecturing at Yale Law School. She is the director of Quinnipiac’s Legal Clinic and works on juvenile sentencing and parole issues. Her judicial experience includes serving on the Federal Grievance Committee and the Standing Committee on the Criminal Justice Act for the District Court.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both from Connecticut, praised Russell’s qualifications, noting her dedication to justice and expertise in sentencing policy and juvenile justice.
Russell’s confirmation followed a lengthy process, starting with her nomination over a year ago and encountering delays, including resistance from Republican senators due to a 2020 letter she signed calling for the release of incarcerated individuals during the pandemic.
Despite criticism, including from Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the letter “extreme,” Blumenthal defended Russell, emphasizing her qualifications and assurances that her views would not impact her judicial approach.
This confirmation aligns with the Democrats’ push to secure as many judicial appointments as possible before Republicans gain control of Congress.
Russell’s confirmation also highlights President Biden’s broader effort to reshape the federal judiciary with more diverse appointments, particularly in terms of gender, race, and professional background. Her background in public defense and legal education is seen as a valuable addition to the bench, especially in addressing disparities in the criminal-legal system.