AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate has unanimously confirmed Republican Gov. Paul LePage's judicial nominees.
The Democratic-controlled Senate on Thursday approved the nomination of Jeffery Hjelm to the Maine Supreme Court and Deputy Attorney General William Stokes to Superior Court.
Hjelm's a superior justice for the Knox County Superior Court. The Camden resident was nominated to the Superior Court by Gov. Angus King in 1998 and was reappointed by Gov. John Baldacci in 2005.
Stokes has served as mayor of Augusta since 2011 and is also chief of the criminal division of the Maine Attorney General's Office. He has worked under nine attorneys general since 1977.
Lawmakers praised the two candidates and their long careers in the law.
The Senate, which adjourned in May, returned for to Augusta for a one-day session.