President Joe Biden nominated eight people for U.S. attorney across the country, including nominees for the District of Columbia and Maryland.
The White House announced Monday, July 26 that each person “will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their district.”
The nation’s 93 U.S. Attorneys lead federal prosecutions against those charged with crimes in their respective districts.
Seven of Biden’s eight nominations are three women and individuals of color, including Del. Erek L. Barron, a member of the Maryland legislature since 2015 who represents the 24th legislative district in Prince George’s County.
Barron, 47, of Mitchellville, earned the nomination for the District of Maryland. He didn’t respond to a phone call or email for comment Monday morning and afternoon.
However, he posted a tweet Monday night thanking the president and Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen for their recommendation.
“The distinguished career public servants in the MD U.S. Attorney’s Office are models of professionalism and, if confirmed, I would be fortunate to join them,” he wrote.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Barron would not only become the first Democrat to the position in Maryland in 20 years, but also the first-ever African American.
“It is a phenomenal appointment,” said Del. Jazz Lewis, who works with Barron and also represents the county’s 24th legislative District. “He is a fair and balanced to his approach on most things. I think he’ll bring much honor to our nation in this role. It’s a good day in Prince George’s.”
Barron previously worked as a Maryland prosecutor in both the state’s attorney offices in Prince George’s County (2001 to 2004) and in Baltimore City (2004 to 2006).
He served as Biden’s counsel and policy advisor when Biden worked as a senator between 2007 to 2009. During that same timeframe, Barron served in the same position to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Last year, Barron served as co-chair in the Biden for Maryland campaign.
During this year’s 90-day legislative session in Annapolis, Barron sponsored several pieces of legislation that passed such as the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General for Health, a work group to study partial expungement and an equity resource program to reduce health disparities in underserved communities.
He also works as a partner at the law firm of Whiteford Taylor Preston with an office in northwest D.C.
“Del. Barron’s history of public service on behalf of Marylanders, his commitment to promoting good governance, and his work on criminal justice reform will serve him well as he takes on this new responsibility,” Maryland Democratic Reps. Steny Hoyer and Anthony Brown said in a joint statement. “Del. Barron is a champion of civil rights, public safety, and protections for our most vulnerable neighbors. He has the experience, passion, and vision needed to ensure equal justice for every Marylander.”
Jonathan Lenzer currently serves as acting U.S. attorney for Maryland, who replaced Robert K. Hur.
Hur, the first Asian American appointed to the position, announced in February he would step down after nearly three years. He was nominated by former President Donald Trump.
The other seven nominees at https://bit.ly/3y5qIw8 include Matthew M. Graves received the nod for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where he serves as a partner at DLA Piper, which has an office in Northwest and headquartered in London.
Another nominee, Zachary A. Myers, has worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Maryland in Baltimore since 2014. The White House seeks to appoint Myers to serve in the Southern District of Indiana.
Clifford D. Johnson received a nomination from the president to serve in the Northern District of Indiana.
According to the White House, Myers and Johnson would be the first Black U.S. attorneys for their respective districts if confirmed by the Senate.
“These individuals – many of whom are historic firsts – were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field,” the White House said, lauding the nominees’ “dedication to pursuing equal justice for all and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.”