Bush nominates Benton to appeals court

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- President Bush has nominated Missouri Supreme Court Judge Duane Benton to the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Benton said Friday.

Benton, who has served on the state's highest court since 1991, would replace Judge Theodore McMillian, who is becoming a senior, or semiretired, judge.

"I am overwhelmed, pleased and honored all at the same time," Benton said. "I will work hard to be a good judge. I hope people think I've been a good judge."

From July 1997 through June 1999, Benton served as the state's chief justice -- a position that rotates among members of the court, typically based on seniority.

Benton served as director of the state Department of Revenue from 1989 to 1991, worked in private law practice in Jefferson City, was chief of staff to Republican Rep. Wendell Bailey from 1980 to 1982, and served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Navy from 1975 to 1979.

A Vietnam veteran, he retired from the Naval Reserve as a captain after 30 years of active and reserve duty. His degree is from Yale Law School.

He was appointed to the state Supreme Court by then-Gov. John Ashcroft, a Republican who is now the U.S. Attorney General.

The 8th Circuit hears cases from Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

In September, Bush nominated Ray Gruender, the U.S. attorney in Missouri's eastern district, as a replacement for 8th Circuit Judge Pasco Bowman, who also entered into senior status.