Politics
Senate confirms Michael Shipp as Federal District court Judge for New Jersey
Judge Michael Shipp. PHOTO/Carmen Natale
The Senate voted nearly unanimously Monday to confirm Michael Shipp to be a judge for the District of New Jersey, even though the vote became the focus of partisan bickering about control of the Senate floor.
Shipp, former counsel to a New Jersey attorney general who became the first African-American magistrate in that district five years ago, was confirmed with a 91-1 vote. Both Republicans and Democrats supported Shipp, described on the Senate floor as “coming from humble beginnings” and having “strong qualifications and a reputation for excellence.”
Before his appointment as a magistrate, Shipp worked for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for five years, first as assistant attorney general in charge of consumer protection and as counsel to the state’s attorney general in 2007.