Gregoire's lawyer recommended for U.S attorney

OLYMPIA — Sen. Patty Murray has recommended that Jenny Durkan, a Seattle attorney with close ties to Gov. Christine Gregoire, be named as the next U.S. Attorney in Western Washington.

Durkan would replace Jeff Sullivan, who formally became the region's top federal prosecutor in October 2007 after 11 federal-court judges agreed unanimously on his appointment. Before that, Sullivan had been acting U.S. attorney after the firing of John McKay and eight other federal during the Bush administration.

The uproar over their firings led to congressional hearings, and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales eventually resigned.

It's unclear why Murray is seeking to replace Sullivan with Durkan.

Durkan has been a friend, confidante and political counselor to Gregoire for nearly 15 years.

Gregoire released a statement this afternoon: "Jenny's wide-ranging legal experience and depth of knowledge of our state provide her with excellent credentials, making her well qualified for this important federal position."

Alex Glass, spokeswoman for Sen. Murray, said today that the senator forwarded Durkan's name to President Obama on Feb. 12. Murray also recommended that Michael Ormsby, a Spokane lawyer, become U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington. Ormsby would take over for Jim McDevitt.

Durkan is the daughter of the late Martin J. Durkan Sr., a former chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and once one of Washington state's most-powerful lobbyists. He also twice ran unsuccessfully for governor and served a two-year term in the state House of Representatives before being elected to the state Senate in 1958, where he served 18 years.

He died in 2005.

McKay, who was the last presidentially appointed U.S. attorney for Western Washington, said he knew there was talk of Durkan's name being submitted.

"I think it's terrific. If nominated and confirmed, Jenny Durkan would be a great U.S. attorney," McKay said. "Jenny is a great attorney. She and I have had cases together, I'm well acquainted with her as a lawyer."

McKay praised Durkan for her ethics.

"Nobody tells Jenny Durkan to do anything improper without getting an icy glare."

Information from Seattle Times archives and The Associated Press is included in this report