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{{Short description|American judge}}
{{Short description|American judge (born 1955)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Mark Norris
|name = Mark Norris
|image = Mark Norris Sr. (Judge) (cropped).jpg
|office = Judge of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]
|office = Judge of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]
|appointer = [[Donald Trump]]
|appointer = [[Donald Trump]]
|term_start = November 8, 2018
|term_start = November 8, 2018
|term_end =
|term_end =
|predecessor = [[J. Daniel Breen]]
|predecessor = [[J. Daniel Breen]]
|successor =
|successor =
|office1 = Majority Leader of the [[Tennessee Senate]]
|office1 = Majority Leader of the [[Tennessee Senate]]
|term_start1 = January 9, 2007
|term_start1 = January 9, 2007
Line 19: Line 20:
|term_end2 = November 1, 2018
|term_end2 = November 1, 2018
|predecessor2 = Tom Leatherwood
|predecessor2 = Tom Leatherwood
|successor2 = ''Vacant''
|successor2 = [[Paul Rose (American politician)|Paul Rose]]
|birth_name = Mark Saalfield Norris Sr.
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|07|09}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|7|9}}
|birth_place = [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Ohio]], U.S.
|birth_place = [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Ohio]], U.S.
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
⚫
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|education = [[Colorado College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Denver]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|education = [[Colorado College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Denver]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
⚫
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]
}}
}}

'''Mark Saalfield Norris Sr.''' (born July 9, 1955 in [[Akron, Ohio]]) is a [[United States federal judge|United States District Judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]. He served as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Tennessee Senate]] from 2001 through 2018, serving as Majority Leader from 2007–2018.
'''Mark Saalfield Norris Sr.''' (born July 9, 1955) is a [[United States federal judge|United States district judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]. He served as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Tennessee Senate]] from 2001 through 2018, serving as Majority Leader from 2007 to 2018.


== Education and career ==
== Education and career ==


Norris received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Colorado College]], and his [[Juris Doctor]] from the University of Denver [[Sturm College of Law]]. from 1980 to 2006, Norris practiced law at Armstrong Allen. Before becoming a judge, Norris was senior counsel at Adams and Reese in Memphis. In 1994, Norris was elected to the [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]] Commission. He served on that body until 2000.<ref name="WHBio" />
Norris received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Colorado College]], and his [[Juris Doctor]] from the University of Denver [[Sturm College of Law]]. From 1980 to 2006, Norris practiced law at Armstrong Allen. Before becoming a judge, Norris was senior counsel at Adams and Reese in Memphis. In 1994, Norris was elected to the [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]] Commission. He served on that body until 2000.<ref name="WHBio" />


== Tennessee Senate ==
== Tennessee Senate ==


Norris was first elected to represent District 32 in the [[Tennessee Senate]] in 2000. The District is composed of [[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer]], [[Lauderdale County, Tennessee|Lauderdale]], and [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton]] counties, and the eastern and northeastern portion of [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]].<ref name="WHBio">[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/07/13/president-donald-j-trump-announces-fifth-wave-judicial-candidates "President Donald J. Trump Announces Fifth Wave of Judicial Candidates" White House, July 13, 2017]</ref> In 2002, Norris ran to represent [[Tennessee's 7th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]], but lost the primary to [[Marsha Blackburn]].
Norris was first elected to represent [[Tennessee's 32nd Senate district|District 32]] in the [[Tennessee Senate]] in 2000. The District is composed of [[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer]], [[Lauderdale County, Tennessee|Lauderdale]], and [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton]] counties, and the eastern and northeastern portion of [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]].<ref name="WHBio">[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/07/13/president-donald-j-trump-announces-fifth-wave-judicial-candidates "President Donald J. Trump Announces Fifth Wave of Judicial Candidates" White House, July 13, 2017]</ref> While in the Senate Norris was an active member in the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC), having attended meetings of the organization.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/1-35-day_mailing_civil-final%20new%20orleans2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704033133/http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/1-35-day_mailing_civil-final%20new%20orleans2.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2002, Norris ran to represent [[Tennessee's 7th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]], but lost the primary to [[Marsha Blackburn]]. He did not have to give up his Senate seat to run for Congress; Tennessee state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Norris was not up for reelection until 2004.


He was elected the State Senate Majority Leader in 2007.<ref name="WHBio" />
He was elected the State Senate Majority Leader in 2007.<ref name="WHBio" />
Line 45: Line 48:
Norris engaged in an effort to bar [[refugee resettlement]] in Tennessee and was a lead figure supporting a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.<ref>Cari Wade Gervin, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/14/mark-norris-nomination-federal-post-could-lead-flurry-moves-tennessee-politics/479889001/ Refugee lawsuit finally filed], ''Tennessean'' (March 13, 2017).</ref><ref>Sam Stockard, [https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/mar/14/tennessee-sues-federal-government-over-refugee-program-1/ Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Program], ''Memphis Daily News'' (March 14, 2017).</ref> Norris created an online petition against refugee resettlement under the headline "Don't let potential terrorists come to Tennessee."<ref>Joel Ebert, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/03/22/lawmakers-cite-belgium-attacks-need-refugee-resolution/82133542/ Lawmakers cite Belgium attacks as need for refugee resolution], ''Tennessean'' (March 22, 2016).</ref><ref>Sarah Goodyear, [http://interactive.nydailynews.com/2016/07/tennessee-campaign-bar-refugees-veiled-islamophobia/ Is the Volunteer State’s campaign to bar refugees really just a veiled expression of Islamophobia?], ''New York Daily News'' (July 2, 2016).</ref> Norris also supported the [[Trump travel ban]]s.<ref name="EbertFed">Joel Ebert, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/12/sen-mark-norris-being-vetted-appointment-federal-judgeship/388904001/ Sen. Mark Norris being vetted for appointment to federal judgeship], ''USA Today'' Network (June 12, 2017).</ref>
Norris engaged in an effort to bar [[refugee resettlement]] in Tennessee and was a lead figure supporting a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.<ref>Cari Wade Gervin, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/14/mark-norris-nomination-federal-post-could-lead-flurry-moves-tennessee-politics/479889001/ Refugee lawsuit finally filed], ''Tennessean'' (March 13, 2017).</ref><ref>Sam Stockard, [https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/mar/14/tennessee-sues-federal-government-over-refugee-program-1/ Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Program], ''Memphis Daily News'' (March 14, 2017).</ref> Norris created an online petition against refugee resettlement under the headline "Don't let potential terrorists come to Tennessee."<ref>Joel Ebert, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/03/22/lawmakers-cite-belgium-attacks-need-refugee-resolution/82133542/ Lawmakers cite Belgium attacks as need for refugee resolution], ''Tennessean'' (March 22, 2016).</ref><ref>Sarah Goodyear, [http://interactive.nydailynews.com/2016/07/tennessee-campaign-bar-refugees-veiled-islamophobia/ Is the Volunteer State’s campaign to bar refugees really just a veiled expression of Islamophobia?], ''New York Daily News'' (July 2, 2016).</ref> Norris also supported the [[Trump travel ban]]s.<ref name="EbertFed">Joel Ebert, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/12/sen-mark-norris-being-vetted-appointment-federal-judgeship/388904001/ Sen. Mark Norris being vetted for appointment to federal judgeship], ''USA Today'' Network (June 12, 2017).</ref>


Norris resigned from the state senate on November 1, 2018, after being confirmed to the district court.<ref>https://wreg.com/2018/11/09/collierville-republican-sworn-in-as-federal-judge/</ref>
Norris resigned from the state senate on November 1, 2018, after being confirmed to the district court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wreg.com/2018/11/09/collierville-republican-sworn-in-as-federal-judge/|title=Collierville Republican sworn in as federal judge|date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>


== Federal judicial service ==
== Federal judicial service ==


On July 13, 2017, [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] nominated Norris to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[J. Daniel Breen]], who took [[senior status]] on March 18, 2017.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/07/13/ten-nominations-sent-senate-today " Ten Nominations Sent to the Senate Today" White House, July 13, 2017]</ref> Prior to his nomination, Norris was publicly considering a candidacy for [[Governor of Tennessee]] in [[Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2018|2018]].<ref name="EbertFed"/><ref name="Sanford"/>
On July 13, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] nominated Norris to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]], to the seat vacated by Judge [[J. Daniel Breen]], who assumed [[senior status]] on March 18, 2017.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170714065923/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/07/13/ten-nominations-sent-senate-today " Ten Nominations Sent to the Senate Today" White House, July 13, 2017]</ref> Prior to his nomination, Norris was publicly considering a candidacy for [[Governor of Tennessee]] in [[Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2018|2018]].<ref name="EbertFed"/><ref name="Sanford"/>


Trump's nomination of Norris was supported by Republican Senators [[Lamar Alexander]] and [[Bob Corker]] of [[Tennessee]],<ref>Andy Sher, [http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2017/jul/13/trump-nominates-tennessee-senate-majority-leader-norris-federal-judgeship/438179/ Trump nominates Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Norris for federal judgeship], ''Times Free Press (July 13, 2017).</ref> but strongly criticized by former U.S. District Judge [[Shira Scheindlin]], who described Norris as one of a number of "the least qualified and most bizarre" of Trump's judicial appointments. In a ''[[New York Times]]'' op-ed, Scheindlin criticized Norris for suggesting that "being Muslim is synonymous with being a terrorist" and for leading efforts to bar local governments from removing [[Confederate monument|public monuments to the Confederacy]].<ref>Shira A. Scheindlin, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/opinion/trump-judges-courts.html Trump's Crazy Choices for the Courts], ''New York Times'' (November 9, 2017).</ref>
Trump's nomination of Norris was supported by Republican Senators [[Lamar Alexander]] and [[Bob Corker]] of [[Tennessee]].<ref>Andy Sher, [http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2017/jul/13/trump-nominates-tennessee-senate-majority-leader-norris-federal-judgeship/438179/ Trump nominates Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Norris for federal judgeship], ''Times Free Press (July 13, 2017).</ref> Norris' nomination was opposed by former U.S. District Judge [[Shira Scheindlin]], an appointee of [[Bill Clinton]], who wrote a ''New York Times'' opinion editorial in which she described Norris as one of a number of "the least qualified and most bizarre" of Trump's judicial appointments.<ref>Shira A. Scheindlin, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/opinion/trump-judges-courts.html Trump's Crazy Choices for the Courts], ''New York Times'' (November 9, 2017).</ref>
On November 1, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]].<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/11/01/2017/nominations United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Nominations for November 1, 2017]</ref> During the hearing, Norris said in response to a question from Senator [[Amy Klobuchar]] that he viewed the case ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'' (determining that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry) as settled law.<ref>Michael Collins, [http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/01/judicial-nominee-mark-norris-tells-senate-panel-gay-marriage-settled-law/822189001/ Judicial nominee Mark Norris tells Senate panel that gay marriage is settled law], ''USA Today'' Network (November 1, 2017).</ref> On December 7, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party line 11–9 vote.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2012-07-17.pdf Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref>
On November 1, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]].<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/11/01/2017/nominations United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Nominations for November 1, 2017]</ref> During the hearing, Norris said in response to a question from Senator [[Amy Klobuchar]] that he viewed the case ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'' (determining that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry) as settled law.<ref>Michael Collins,[http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/01/judicial-nominee-mark-norris-tells-senate-panel-gay-marriage-settled-law/822189001/ Judicial nominee Mark Norris tells Senate panel that gay marriage is settled law], ''USA Today'' Network (November 1, 2017).</ref> On December 7, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–9 vote.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2012-07-17.pdf Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref>


On January 3, 2018, his nomination was returned to the President under [[Standing Rules of the United States Senate, Rule XXXI|Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6]] of the [[United States Senate]].<ref>[https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/1/3/daily-digest "Congressional Record", United States Senate, January 3, 2018]</ref> On January 5, 2018, President [[Donald Trump]] announced his intent to renominate Norris to a federal judgeship.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-renomination-21-judicial-nominees/ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Renomination of 21 Judicial Nominees", White House, January 5, 2018]</ref> On January 8, 2018, his renomination was sent to the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/nominations-sent-senate-today-2/ "Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", The White House, January 8, 2018]</ref> On January 18, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party line 11–10 vote.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2001-18-181.pdf Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 18, 2018, Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref> In January 2018, Norris said he was unsure if he would be confirmed to the judgeship by the U.S. Senate and planned to remain in the state legislature until his nomination was ultimately confirmed.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Buie|first1=Jordan|title=Sen. Mark Norris says judgeship is uncertain, will remain in legislature until confirmed|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/10/sen-mark-norris-says-judgeship-uncertain-remain-legislature-until-confirmed/1021816001/|accessdate=March 8, 2018|agency=USA Todday|publisher=The Tennesseean|date=January 10, 2018}}</ref> On October 11, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by a 51–44 vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=2&vote=00237|title=On the Nomination (Confirmation Mark Saalfield Norris, Sr., of Tennessee, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee)|last=|first=|date=October 11, 2018|website=[[United States Senate]]|access-date=October 11, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He received his judicial commission on November 8, 2018.
On January 3, 2018, his nomination was returned to the President under [[Standing Rules of the United States Senate, Rule XXXI|Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6]] of the [[United States Senate]].<ref>[https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/1/3/daily-digest "Congressional Record", United States Senate, January 3, 2018]</ref> On January 5, 2018, President [[Donald Trump]] announced his intent to renominate Norris to a federal judgeship.<ref>[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-renomination-21-judicial-nominees/ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Renomination of 21 Judicial Nominees", White House, January 5, 2018]</ref> On January 8, 2018, his renomination was sent to the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref>[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/nominations-sent-senate-today-2/ "Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", The White House, January 8, 2018]</ref> On January 18, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 11–10 vote.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Results%20of%20Executive%20Business%20Meeting%2001-18-181.pdf Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 18, 2018, Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref> On January 10, 2018, Norris said he was unsure if he would be confirmed to the judgeship by the U.S. Senate and planned to remain in the state legislature until his nomination was ultimately confirmed.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Buie|first1=Jordan|title=Sen. Mark Norris says judgeship is uncertain, will remain in legislature until confirmed|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/10/sen-mark-norris-says-judgeship-uncertain-remain-legislature-until-confirmed/1021816001/|access-date=March 8, 2018|agency=USA Todday|work=The Tennessean|date=January 10, 2018}}</ref> On October 11, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by a 51–44 vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=2&vote=00237|title=On the Nomination (Confirmation Mark Saalfield Norris, Sr., of Tennessee, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee)|date=October 11, 2018|website=[[United States Senate]]|access-date=October 11, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He received his judicial commission on November 8, 2018.<ref>{{FJC Bio|nid=5374071|inline=yes}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Donald Trump judicial appointment controversies]]


== References ==
== References ==
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* {{FJC Bio|nid=5374071}}
* {{FJC Bio|nid=5374071}}
* {{Ballotpedia|Mark_Norris|Mark Norris}}
* {{Ballotpedia|Mark_Norris|Mark Norris}}
⚫
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060505032911/http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/Senate/Members/s32.htm Tennessee Senate Member (archive)]
* [http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s32.html Senators – TN General Assembly, Senator Mark Norris (Official State Senate website)]
* [http://www.marknorris.org/ State Senator Mark Norris (blog)]
⚫
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060505032911/http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/Senate/Members/s32.htm Tennessee Senate Member (former site)]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Mark Saalfield Sr.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Mark}}
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[[Category:21st-century members of the Tennessee General Assembly]]
[[Category:Colorado College alumni]]
[[Category:Colorado College alumni]]
[[Category:Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]
[[Category:Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Akron, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Collierville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Collierville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Sturm College of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Sturm College of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Tennessee lawyers]]
[[Category:Tennessee lawyers]]
[[Category:Tennessee Republicans]]
[[Category:Republican Party Tennessee state senators]]
[[Category:Tennessee state senators]]
[[Category:United States district court judges appointed by Donald Trump]]
[[Category:United States district court judges appointed by Donald Trump]]

Latest revision as of 10:44, 18 December 2024

Mark Norris
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 8, 2018
Appointed byDonald Trump
Preceded byJ. Daniel Breen
Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate
In office
January 9, 2007 – November 1, 2018
Preceded byRon Ramsey
Succeeded byJack Johnson
Member of the Tennessee Senate
from the 32nd district
In office
January 2001 – November 1, 2018
Preceded byTom Leatherwood
Succeeded byPaul Rose
Personal details
Born
Mark Saalfield Norris Sr.

(1955-07-09) July 9, 1955 (age 69)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationColorado College (BA)
University of Denver (JD)

Mark Saalfield Norris Sr. (born July 9, 1955) is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He served as a Republican member of the Tennessee Senate from 2001 through 2018, serving as Majority Leader from 2007 to 2018.

Education and career

[edit]

Norris received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. From 1980 to 2006, Norris practiced law at Armstrong Allen. Before becoming a judge, Norris was senior counsel at Adams and Reese in Memphis. In 1994, Norris was elected to the Shelby County Commission. He served on that body until 2000.[1]

Tennessee Senate

[edit]

Norris was first elected to represent District 32 in the Tennessee Senate in 2000. The District is composed of Dyer, Lauderdale, and Tipton counties, and the eastern and northeastern portion of Shelby County.[1] While in the Senate Norris was an active member in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), having attended meetings of the organization.[2] In 2002, Norris ran to represent Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, but lost the primary to Marsha Blackburn. He did not have to give up his Senate seat to run for Congress; Tennessee state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Norris was not up for reelection until 2004.

He was elected the State Senate Majority Leader in 2007.[1]

In 2015, Norris opposed a proposal to make the Bible the official state book.[3][4]

Norris ran unopposed for re-election in 2016, collecting $655,000 in campaign contributions, the largest among all Tennessee General Assembly candidates.[5]

Norris engaged in an effort to bar refugee resettlement in Tennessee and was a lead figure supporting a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.[6][7] Norris created an online petition against refugee resettlement under the headline "Don't let potential terrorists come to Tennessee."[8][9] Norris also supported the Trump travel bans.[10]

Norris resigned from the state senate on November 1, 2018, after being confirmed to the district court.[11]

Federal judicial service

[edit]

On July 13, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Norris to the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, to the seat vacated by Judge J. Daniel Breen, who assumed senior status on March 18, 2017.[12] Prior to his nomination, Norris was publicly considering a candidacy for Governor of Tennessee in 2018.[10][3]

Trump's nomination of Norris was supported by Republican Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker of Tennessee.[13] Norris' nomination was opposed by former U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, an appointee of Bill Clinton, who wrote a New York Times opinion editorial in which she described Norris as one of a number of "the least qualified and most bizarre" of Trump's judicial appointments.[14]

On November 1, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[15] During the hearing, Norris said in response to a question from Senator Amy Klobuchar that he viewed the case Obergefell v. Hodges (determining that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry) as settled law.[16] On December 7, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–9 vote.[17]

On January 3, 2018, his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.[18] On January 5, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to renominate Norris to a federal judgeship.[19] On January 8, 2018, his renomination was sent to the Senate.[20] On January 18, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 11–10 vote.[21] On January 10, 2018, Norris said he was unsure if he would be confirmed to the judgeship by the U.S. Senate and planned to remain in the state legislature until his nomination was ultimately confirmed.[22] On October 11, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by a 51–44 vote.[23] He received his judicial commission on November 8, 2018.[24]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "President Donald J. Trump Announces Fifth Wave of Judicial Candidates" White House, July 13, 2017
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ a b Otis Sanford, Mark Norris has steep trek to Tennessee governorship, Commercial Appeal (January 14, 2017).
  4. ^ Tennessee plan to make Bible 'official' book derailed, Chicago Tribune wire services (April 16, 2015).
  5. ^ Erik Schelzig, More than $16M flows to Tennessee legislative candidates, Associated Press (November 2, 2016).
  6. ^ Cari Wade Gervin, Refugee lawsuit finally filed, Tennessean (March 13, 2017).
  7. ^ Sam Stockard, Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Program, Memphis Daily News (March 14, 2017).
  8. ^ Joel Ebert, Lawmakers cite Belgium attacks as need for refugee resolution, Tennessean (March 22, 2016).
  9. ^ Sarah Goodyear, Is the Volunteer State’s campaign to bar refugees really just a veiled expression of Islamophobia?, New York Daily News (July 2, 2016).
  10. ^ a b Joel Ebert, Sen. Mark Norris being vetted for appointment to federal judgeship, USA Today Network (June 12, 2017).
  11. ^ "Collierville Republican sworn in as federal judge". November 9, 2018.
  12. ^ " Ten Nominations Sent to the Senate Today" White House, July 13, 2017
  13. ^ Andy Sher, Trump nominates Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Norris for federal judgeship, Times Free Press (July 13, 2017).
  14. ^ Shira A. Scheindlin, Trump's Crazy Choices for the Courts, New York Times (November 9, 2017).
  15. ^ United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Nominations for November 1, 2017
  16. ^ Michael Collins,Judicial nominee Mark Norris tells Senate panel that gay marriage is settled law, USA Today Network (November 1, 2017).
  17. ^ Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 7, 2017, Senate Judiciary Committee
  18. ^ "Congressional Record", United States Senate, January 3, 2018
  19. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Renomination of 21 Judicial Nominees", White House, January 5, 2018
  20. ^ "Nominations Sent to the Senate Today", The White House, January 8, 2018
  21. ^ Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 18, 2018, Senate Judiciary Committee
  22. ^ Buie, Jordan (January 10, 2018). "Sen. Mark Norris says judgeship is uncertain, will remain in legislature until confirmed". The Tennessean. USA Todday. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  23. ^ "On the Nomination (Confirmation Mark Saalfield Norris, Sr., of Tennessee, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee)". United States Senate. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  24. ^ Mark Norris at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
[edit]
Tennessee Senate
Preceded by
Tom Leatherwood
 Member of the Tennessee Senate
from the 32nd district
2001–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate
2007–2018 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican Leader of the Tennessee Senate
2007–2018 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
2018–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Mark_Norris_(judge)&oldid=1263743410"