Schwendiman out of running for U.S. attorney for Utah

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Remember Schwendiman, career prosecutor who was supposed to be the next U.S. Attorney for Utah? Well, it ain’t gonna happen. And no real explanation why.

The White House has decided to take a pass on the man Utah insiders were convinced would become the next U.S. attorney for the state. In a surprise announcement, David Schwendiman said the Obama administration wouldn’t nominate him to the post, despite the bipartisan support he has received from Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Sen. Orrin Hatch R-Utah.

“I am honored to have been considered, but I understood from the outset that the choice of nominee is the prerogative of the president and that the White House would make the final decision,” Schwendiman said in a statement released from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah.

The White House declined to comment. Schwendiman’s statement indicated he would remain a senior litigator at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“I am grateful for the consideration I was given and remain fully committed to serving my country, my state and the Department of Justice,” he said.

Matheson responded to the news by saying he’s glad Schwendiman will remain a federal prosecutor.

“Dave Schwendiman has a distinguished record of service to our state and to our country,” he said. “I wish him the very best in that post.”

Schwendiman has worked at the office for decades, under both Republicans and Democrats. He left in 2006 to become a war crimes prosecutor in Bosnia, but returned at the start of this year as the White House started the vetting process.

(Thanks to the Salt Lake Tribune)