On February 3, 2026, the United States Senate confirmed two judicial nominees to federal district courts in Texas and Arkansas. David Clay Fowlkes was confirmed as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas, and Nicholas Jon Ganjei was confirmed as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
David Clay Fowlkes has an extensive background in public service. He began his legal career in the Benton County, Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, serving as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 2003 to 2005 and as Division Chief from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, he joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas, where he held various positions, including Assistant United States Attorney, Deputy Criminal Chief, Criminal Chief, First Assistant United States Attorney, and, since 2020, United States Attorney. His nomination to the federal bench was announced by President Donald Trump on November 12, 2025, and was formally transmitted to the Senate on November 18, 2025. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on his nomination on November 19, 2025, and reported it to the full Senate by a vote of 15 to 7 on December 11, 2025. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clay_Fowlkes?utm_source=openai))
Nicholas Jon Ganjei has a distinguished legal career. He was nominated by President Donald Trump on November 12, 2025, to fill the seat vacated by Judge Lynn Hughes on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. His nomination was formally transmitted to the Senate on November 18, 2025. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on his nomination on November 19, 2025, and reported it to the full Senate by a vote of 12 to 10 on December 11, 2025. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Ganjei?utm_source=openai))
The confirmation of these judges is part of the Senate’s ongoing efforts to fill vacancies in the federal judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Chuck Grassley, has advanced numerous judicial nominees in recent months. ([judiciary.senate.gov](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-opens-judiciary-committee-executive-business-meeting-discusses-committees-2025-achievements?utm_source=openai))
These confirmations are expected to have a significant impact on the federal judiciary in their respective districts, addressing caseloads and contributing to the administration of justice in Texas and Arkansas.