On January 13, 2020, Daniel Mack Traynor received his judicial commission to the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.

Traynor was nominated to the court by President Donald Trump (R) on September 19, 2019, to succeed Judge Daniel Hovland, who assumed senior status on November 10, 2019. Traynor was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 19, 2019, by a vote of 51-41.

Following nomination by the president, a federal judicial nominee completes a questionnaire that is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee then holds a hearing to question the nominee regarding their judicial philosophy and their previous rulings. The committee also sends the nominee’s home state senators a blue slip, permitting them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.

After the hearing, the committee votes to approve or return the nominee. If approved, the nominee is reported to the full Senate for a vote. If returned, the president may renominate the person. If the Senate confirms the nomination, the individual receives commission to serve as a federal judge for a life term. If the individual is not confirmed, they do not become a judge.

The U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota has two active Article III judges, including Traynor. The other active judge is Peter Welte, who was also nominated by Trump.

The court’s two judges on senior status are:
• Patrick Conmy – nominated by President Ronald Reagan (R)
• Daniel Hovland – nominated by President George W. Bush (R)

The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota is one of 94 U.S. District Courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. When decisions of the court are appealed, they are appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Additional reading:
Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump
United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals