On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alexander C. Van Hook as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana with a 53-40 vote. This marks the Senate’s first judicial confirmation of the year.
Van Hook’s nomination was part of a series of judicial appointments initiated in late 2025. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced his nomination on November 20, 2025, with a 16-6 vote. ([judiciary.senate.gov](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/judiciary-committee-advances-nominations-for-assistant-attorney-general-mississippi-and-louisiana-district-courts-and-four-us-attorneys?utm_source=openai))
Prior to his confirmation, Van Hook served as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. His nomination was received by the Senate on October 21, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. ([congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/615/02?utm_source=openai))
Van Hook’s confirmation fills the vacancy left by Judge Elizabeth Erny Foote, who retired from the bench. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/10/nomination-sent-to-the-senate-f090/?utm_source=openai))
His confirmation is expected to impact the judicial landscape in the Western District of Louisiana, given his extensive experience in federal prosecution and his previous role as Acting U.S. Attorney.