President Barack Obama has nominated a Kansas Supreme Court justice to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
President Obama's selection of Justice Nancy Moritz drew an immediate endorsement from U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who has often criticized the president's policies.
Moran says Moritz is "highly qualified" and that he intends to vote for her confirmation.
The Denver-based court reviews cases from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.
Moritz has served on the state's highest court since 2011. She previously spent seven years on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Obama also nominated Kansas City-area attorney Daniel Crabtree to a federal judgeship in Kansas.
Moritz's confirmation would also lead to Gov. Brownback's first appointment to the seven-member Kansas Supreme Court.
Under the state constitution, a nominating commission would screen applications and name three finalists for Brownback, and legislators will have no role after his appointment.