Trump nominee for South Dakota U.S. attorney clears Senate vote

Ron Parsons still faces final confirmation vote, with no clear timeframe on final floor vote

Ron Parsons, left, with former Attorney General William Barr.

President Trump’s nominee to be the next U.S. attorney for South Dakota cleared a key vote Thursday, sending the nomination to the full Senate.

Ron Parsons, who previously served as U.S. attorney during Trump’s first administration, prevailed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a voice vote.

But Thursday’s vote was different than the one that took place in 2017, when Parsons was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Following the vote, several Democratic senators went on record voting against the nomination.

Justice Janine Kern stepping down from state's High Court