Surprise Nominee For Civil Rights Division Head Likely To Face Some Opposition

Last week, President Obama sent to the Senate the name of Thomas Perez to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of Justice Department. Today's Los Angeles Times says that Perez, who is currently secretary of Maryland's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, will face opposition in his confirmation hearings. (Biographical information.) However approval of Perez's nomination is expected. The Perez choice came as a surprise after Obama decided not to appoint Thomas Saenz, an advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in order to avoid a confirmation fight over immigration issues. (See prior posting.) That decision has caused concern among advocates of immigration reform. (LA Weekly.)