Whether Mayor Andy Berke's chief of staff, Travis McDonough, will keep his job or move on to the federal bench is now up to the U.S. Senate.
The White House said Wednesday that the names of McDonough and 18 other nominees for U.S. District Court judgeships across the country have officially been turned over to the 114th Congress.
McDonough was nominated in November to replace Judge Curtis Collier, who recently took senior status. The Senate will decide whether to confirm or deny the appointment.
On Wednesday, McDonough had support from one of the Volunteer State's senators.
Sen. Bob Corker, the state's junior senator and a former mayor of Chattanooga, said McDonough has his vote.
"Travis McDonough is well-respected in Chattanooga, and I look forward to supporting his nomination to serve as District Court judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee," Corker said in an email.
Sen. Lamar Alexander was not so quick to give the nod.
"I look forward to learning more about Mr. McDonough and his interest in serving as District Court judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee," Alexander said in another email.
Mayor Andy Berke has not publicly commented on McDonough's appointment, and it's unclear who will become Berke's chief of staff if McDonough moves on.
The post is an appointed position. Deputy Chief of Staff Justin Wilkins has only been with the administration since August.
City spokeswoman Lacie Stone said Wednesday it's premature to name a possible successor.
"We are still working through those details, and we will make an announcment as soon as that time comes," she said.
McDonough, an attorney, worked in the Miller & Martin law firm from 2005 to 2013 and served as the head of the firm's litigation department from 2012 to 2013, according to a White House release.
He received his law degree in 1997 from Vanderbilt University Law School and his undergraduate degree in 1994 from Sewanee: The University of the South.
Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, @glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.
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