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.