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By Main Justice staff

A leading candidate to be U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Texas has removed his name from consideration, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Michael McCrum, a defense attorney with Thompson & Knight LLP and a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, wrote to the White House to withdraw his candidacy Thursday.

Michael McCrum (Thompson & Knight LLP)

?It was and continues to be my belief that I would be an outstanding U.S. attorney and would serve my country with honor, zeal and integrity,? McCrum wrote in the letter. ?For many reasons, I have always felt uniquely qualified for this position. After much prayer and consideration, however, I have come to the conclusion this past week that it is in the best interest of my family that I now move forward.?

The White House has had a particular difficulty selecting U.S. attorney nominees in Texas because of disagreements between the state?s two Republican senators and the House Democrats recommending candidates to the White House. So far, President Barack Obama has nominated only one U.S. Attorney to take one of the four open positions in Texas ? John Stevens for the Eastern District of Texas. In April, Stevens withdrew his name from consideration citing the best interests of his family.

In the San Antonio-based district, McCrum appeared to have inside track for the job because he was recommended by both the Republican senators and Texas?s House Democrats, making him a consensus choice. In April, a Senate staffer told a Texas newspaper that McCrum would be nominated soon. But with no nomination on the horizon, McCrum told the Express-News he couldn’t wait any longer.

?I have not been able to take any cases for the past six to nine months, and as a result my practice has dwindled to almost nothing,? McCrum said. ?It’s a very difficult situation.?

The Texas GOP senators also recommended Robert Pitman, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Western District of Texas. It was unclear, however, whether the Texas senators — both conservatives — realized that Pitman is gay.

The district has been without a presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney since Bush U.S. Attorney Johnny K. Sutton resigned in April 2009.

Full post as published by Main Justice on October 08, 2010 (boomark / email).