It’s the 12 Days of Ballotpedia! Your gift powers the trusted, unbiased information voters need heading into 2026. Donate now!

Susan Rodriguez: Difference between revisions

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:


<APIWidget where="person.id = '681627'" template="Polinfobox" />
<APIWidget where="person.id = '681627'" template="Polinfobox" />
'''Susan Rodriguez''' is a [[federal magistrate judge]] for the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]. She was first appointed to this position on April 3, 2023.<ref name=intent/>
'''Susan Rodriguez''' is a judge on the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]. She was nominated to the court by President [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump|Donald Trump]] (R) on September 15, 2025, and confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on December 4, 2025, by a vote of 57-32.<ref name=Congress>[https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/520/4?s=1&r=9 ''Congress.gov,'' "PN520-4 — Susan Courtwright Rodriguez — The Judiciary," accessed October 10, 2025]</ref><ref name=FJC>[https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/rodriguez-susan-courtwright ''The Federal Judicial Center'', "Rodriguez, Susan Courtwright," accessed December 4, 2025]</ref>To see a full list of judges appointed by [[Donald Trump]], [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump|click here]].


On August 22, 2025, President [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump|Donald Trump]] (R) announced his intent to nominate Susan Rodriguez to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]].<ref name=intent>[https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115074852826314245 ''Truth Social,'' "Donald J. Trump," August 22, 2025]</ref> The president officially nominated Rodriguez on September 15, 2025. As of October 9, 2025, she was awaiting a confirmation vote from the full [[U.S. Senate]].<ref name=Congress>[https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/520/4?s=1&r=9 ''Congress.gov,'' "PN520-4 — Susan Courtwright Rodriguez — The Judiciary," accessed October 10, 2025]</ref> [[#Judicial nominations and appointments|Click here]] for more information on Rodriguez's federal judicial nomination.
The [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]] is one of 94 [[United States District Court|U.S. District Courts]]. They are the general [[trial court|trial courts]] of the [[United States federal courts]]. To learn more about the court, [[#About the court|click here]].


The [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]] is one of 94 [[United States District Court|U.S. District Courts]]. They are the general [[trial court|trial courts]] of the [[United States federal courts]]. To learn more about the court, [[#About the court|click here]].
Prior to joining the court, Rodriguez was a [[federal magistrate judge]] for the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]. She was first appointed to this position on April 3, 2023.<ref name=intent>[https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115074852826314245 ''Truth Social,'' "Donald J. Trump," August 22, 2025]</ref>


==Judicial nominations and appointments==
==Judicial nominations and appointments==
===United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina===
===United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (2025-present)===
::''See also: [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump]]''
::''See also: [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump]]''


On August 22, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] (R) announced his intent to nominate Rodriguez to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]].<ref name=intent/> To read more about the federal nominations process, [[#The federal nomination process|click here]].
On August 22, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] (R) announced his intent to nominate Rodriguez to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]].<ref name=intent/> She was officially nominated to the court on September 15, 2025. She was confirmed by a 57-32 vote of the U.S. Senate on December 4, 2025.<ref name=Congress/> Rodriguez received commission on December 6, 2025.<ref name=FJC/> To read more about the federal nominations process, [[#The federal nomination process|click here]].


{{Federal Nomination Tracker
{{Federal Nomination Tracker
Line 25: Line 25:
|ReportDate = October 9, 2025
|ReportDate = October 9, 2025
|PastReport =
|PastReport =
|ConfirmDate =
|ConfirmDate =December 4, 2025
|Vote =
|Vote =57-32
|Returndate =
|Returndate =
|Withdraw =
|Withdraw =
Line 32: Line 32:


====Confirmation vote====
====Confirmation vote====
As of October 9, 2025, Rodriguez was awaiting a confirmation vote from the full [[U.S. Senate]]. [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump#Waiting for vote in Senate|Click here]] for a list of other nominees awaiting a full Senate vote.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Rodriguez by a vote of 57-32 on December 4, 2025.<ref name=Congress/> To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, [https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00634.htm click here].
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="background:none; text-align: center;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color:#334aab; color:#f0a236;" |''Rodriguez confirmation vote (December 4, 2025)''
|-
!style="background-color:#00AF8C; color: white;" |'''Party'''
!style="background-color:#00AF8C; color: white;" |'''Yea'''
!style="background-color:#00AF8C; color: white;" |'''Nay'''
!style="background-color:#00AF8C; color: white;" |'''No vote'''
|-
| {{blue dot}}||10||31||4
|-
| {{red dot}}||46||0||7
|-
| {{greydot}} Independent ||1||1||0
|-
|style="background: #00AF8C; color: white" |Total
|style="background: #00AF8C; color: white" |'''57'''<ref>''Note: The bolded number reflects the largest number.''</ref>
|style="background: #00AF8C; color: white" |32
|style="background: #00AF8C; color: white" |11
|}


====Senate Judiciary Committee hearing====
====Senate Judiciary Committee hearing====
Line 39: Line 60:
====Nomination====
====Nomination====
On August 22, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] (R) announced his intent to nominate Susan Rodriguez to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]. The president officially nominated Rodriguez on September 15, 2025.<ref name=Congress/> [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump#Waiting for committee hearing|Click here]] for a list of other nominees who have been nominated by President [[Donald Trump]].
On August 22, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] (R) announced his intent to nominate Susan Rodriguez to the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]. The president officially nominated Rodriguez on September 15, 2025.<ref name=Congress/> [[Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump#Waiting for committee hearing|Click here]] for a list of other nominees who have been nominated by President [[Donald Trump]].
<!--
 
Rodriguez was nominated to replace Judge [[NAME]], who retired/assumed [[senior status]] on DATE.<REF>
Rodriguez was nominated to replace Judge [[Frank Whitney]], who assumed [[senior status]] on December 1, 2024.<ref name=Whitney>[https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/whitney-frank-dearmon Frank Whitney biography] from the [[Federal Judicial Center]]</ref>
-->


The [[American Bar Association]] (ABA) rated Rodriguez ''well qualified''.<ref name=aba>[https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/federal_judicary/119th-web-ratings-chart.pdf ''American Bar Association'', "STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY," accessed October 2, 2025]</ref> To read more about ABA ratings, [[ABA ratings during the Trump administration|click here]].
The [[American Bar Association]] (ABA) rated Rodriguez ''well qualified''.<ref name=aba>[https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/federal_judicary/119th-web-ratings-chart.pdf ''American Bar Association'', "STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY," accessed October 2, 2025]</ref> To read more about ABA ratings, [[ABA ratings during the Trump administration|click here]].


<!--
==Biography==
==Biography==
===Education===
===Early life and education===
INSERT education information here.
Rodriguez was born in [[1981 in Lebanon, Kentucky]]. She earned a bachelor's degree from Centre College in 2003 and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law (now Antonin Scalia Law School) in 2009.<ref name=FJC/>


===Professional career===
===Professional career===
INSERT professional information here.
*'''2025-present:''' Judge, [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]
-->
**'''2023-2025:''' [[Federal magistrate judge]]
*'''2011-2023:''' Private practice, [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
*'''2010:''' Adjunct professor for legal writing, Charlotte School of Law
*'''2009-2011:''' Law clerk, Hon. [[Frank Whitney]], [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]
*'''2006-2011 (on leave 2009-2011):''' Policy advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security<ref name=FJC/>
 
==About the court==
==About the court==
{{#section:United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina|intro}}
{{#section:United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina|intro}}
The Western District of North Carolina has [[original jurisdiction]] over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.
The Western District of North Carolina has [[original jurisdiction]] over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.
Line 70: Line 93:
The '''Statesville Division''', covering  [[Alexander County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Alexander]], [[Alleghany County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Alleghany]], [[Ashe County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Ashe]], [[Caldwell County, North Carolina (Judicial)| Caldwell]], and [[Catawba County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Catawba]], [[Iredell County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Iredell]], [[Lincoln County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Lincoln]], [[Watauga County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Watauga]], and [[Wilkes County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Wilkes]] counties
The '''Statesville Division''', covering  [[Alexander County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Alexander]], [[Alleghany County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Alleghany]], [[Ashe County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Ashe]], [[Caldwell County, North Carolina (Judicial)| Caldwell]], and [[Catawba County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Catawba]], [[Iredell County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Iredell]], [[Lincoln County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Lincoln]], [[Watauga County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Watauga]], and [[Wilkes County, North Carolina (Judicial)|Wilkes]] counties


To read opinions published by this court, click [http://www.ncwd.uscourts.gov/PICS/picsPublicQuery.asp here].


To read opinions published by this court, click [http://www.ncwd.uscourts.gov/PICS/picsPublicQuery.asp here].
===The federal nomination process===
===The federal nomination process===
{{#dpl:
{{#dpl:
Line 79: Line 102:
==See also==
==See also==
*[[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]
*[[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]]
*[[United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit]]


==External links==
==External links==
Line 84: Line 108:
{{Google}}
{{Google}}
*[https://www.ncwd.uscourts.gov/ United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]
*[https://www.ncwd.uscourts.gov/ United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]
*[https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/rodriguez-susan-courtwright Biography] from the [[Federal Judicial Center]]


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
 
<APIWidget where="people.id=681627" template="OfficeholdersSuccessionBox" />
{{Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina}}
{{Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump}}
{{North carolina courts}}
{{North carolina courts}}


<!--BE SURE TO CHECK FOR REDLINKED CATEGORIES-->
<!--BE SURE TO CHECK FOR REDLINKED CATEGORIES-->
[[Category: Federal judiciary nominee, August 2025]]
[[Category: Federal judiciary nominee, August 2025]]
[[Category: Current federal court nominees]]
[[Category: Appointed by Donald Trump]]
[[Category: Appointed by Donald Trump]]
[[Category: Appointee, Western District of North Carolina]]
[[Category: Federal judge, Western District of North Carolina]]
[[Category:Article III judiciary nominee]]
[[Category:Federal Article III judges]]
[[Category: Confirmed 2025]]

Latest revision as of 06:08, 10 December 2025

Susan Rodriguez

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Tenure

2025 - Present

Years in position

0

Predecessor
Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

Education

Bachelor's

Centre College, 2003

Law

George Mason University School of Law, 2009

Susan Rodriguez is a judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. She was nominated to the court by President Donald Trump (R) on September 15, 2025, and confirmed by the United States Senate on December 4, 2025, by a vote of 57-32.[1][2]To see a full list of judges appointed by Donald Trump, click here.

The United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina is one of 94 U.S. District Courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the court, click here.

Prior to joining the court, Rodriguez was a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. She was first appointed to this position on April 3, 2023.[3]

Judicial nominations and appointments

United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (2025-present)

See also: Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump

On August 22, 2025, President Donald Trump (R) announced his intent to nominate Rodriguez to the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.[3] She was officially nominated to the court on September 15, 2025. She was confirmed by a 57-32 vote of the U.S. Senate on December 4, 2025.[1] Rodriguez received commission on December 6, 2025.[2] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Susan Rodriguez
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Progress
Confirmed 80 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: September 15, 2025
ApprovedAABA Rating: Well qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: September 17, 2025
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: October 9, 2025 
ApprovedAConfirmed: December 4, 2025
ApprovedAVote: 57-32


Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Rodriguez by a vote of 57-32 on December 4, 2025.[1] To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.

Rodriguez confirmation vote (December 4, 2025)
Party Yea Nay No vote
Electiondot.png Democratic 10 31 4
Ends.png Republican 46 0 7
Grey.png Independent 1 1 0
Total 57[4] 32 11

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Rodriguez's nomination on September 17, 2025. Orso was reported to the full Senate on October 9, 2025, after a 17-5 committee vote.[5]

Nomination

On August 22, 2025, President Donald Trump (R) announced his intent to nominate Susan Rodriguez to the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The president officially nominated Rodriguez on September 15, 2025.[1] Click here for a list of other nominees who have been nominated by President Donald Trump.

Rodriguez was nominated to replace Judge Frank Whitney, who assumed senior status on December 1, 2024.[6]

The American Bar Association (ABA) rated Rodriguez well qualified.[7] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

Biography

Early life and education

Rodriguez was born in 1981 in Lebanon, Kentucky. She earned a bachelor's degree from Centre College in 2003 and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law (now Antonin Scalia Law School) in 2009.[2]

Professional career

About the court

Western District of North Carolina
Fourth Circuit
NC-WD.gif
Judgeships
Posts: 5
Judges: 5
Vacancies: 0
Judges
Chief: Martin Reidinger
Active judges: Kenneth Bell, Max O. Cogburn Jr., Matthew Orso, Martin Reidinger, Susan Rodriguez

Senior judges:
Robert Conrad, Graham Mullen, Richard Voorhees, Frank Whitney


The United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina is one of 94 United States district courts. When decisions of the court are appealed, they are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit based in downtown Richmond, Virginia, at the Lewis F. Powell Federal Courthouse. The Western District of North Carolina has original jurisdiction over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.

The geographic jurisdiction of the Western District of North Carolina consists of all the following counties in the western part of the state of North Carolina.

There are four court divisions, each covering the following counties:

The Asheville Division, covering Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties

The Bryson Division, covering Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties

The Charlotte Division, covering Anson, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union counties

The Statesville Division, covering Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, and Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, Watauga, and Wilkes counties

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

  • The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
  • The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.
  • As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.
  • After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.
  • If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
  • If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.
  • The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.
  • If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
  • If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Congress.gov, "PN520-4 — Susan Courtwright Rodriguez — The Judiciary," accessed October 10, 2025
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Federal Judicial Center, "Rodriguez, Susan Courtwright," accessed December 4, 2025
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Truth Social, "Donald J. Trump," August 22, 2025
  4. ↑ Note: The bolded number reflects the largest number.
  5. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "RESULTS OF COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING," accessed October 9, 2025
  6. ↑ Frank Whitney biography from the Federal Judicial Center
  7. ↑ American Bar Association, "STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY," accessed October 2, 2025

Political offices
Preceded by
Frank Whitney 		United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
2025-Present		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
2023-2025		 Succeeded by
-


North Carolina courts

Federal courts:

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina

State courts:

Supreme Court of North Carolina • North Carolina Court of Appeals • North Carolina Superior Courts • North Carolina District Courts

State resources:

Courts in North Carolina • North Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in North Carolina

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Susan_Rodriguez&oldid=10716749"