Kelly Rankin | |
|---|---|
 Rankin at his 2024 confirmation hearing | |
| Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming | |
| Assumed office June 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Scott W. Skavdahl |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming | |
| Assumed office March 12, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Nancy D. Freudenthal |
| United States Attorney for theDistrict of Wyoming | |
| In office 2008–2009 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | John Green |
| Succeeded by | Christopher A. Crofts |
| Park County Attorney | |
| In office 1999–2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kelly Harrison Rankin 1967 (age 58–59) Sheridan, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Party | Republican[1] |
| Education | University of Wyoming (BS,JD) |
Kelly Harrison Rankin (born 1967)[2] is an American lawyer who is serving as thechief United States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming. He previously served as theUnited States attorney for that district court from 2008 to 2009 as well as the chiefUnited States magistrate judge of the same court from 2012 to 2024.
Rankin received aBachelor of Science from theUniversity of Wyoming in 1990 and aJuris Doctor from theUniversity of Wyoming College of Law in 1994.[3]
From 1994 to 1995, Rankin was a deputy county attorney in theLincoln County Attorney's Office. From 1995 to 1998, he was a deputy county attorney in thePark County Attorney's Office and from 1999 to 2003, he served as the ParkCounty Attorney.[2] From 2003 to 2008, he served as anassistant United States attorney in the District of Wyoming. From 2008 to 2010, he served as theUnited States attorney for the District of Wyoming and then served as counsel toWyoming GovernorDave Freudenthal in 2010. From 2010 to 2012, he served as criminal chief in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming.[3] On June 7, 2012, he assumed office as aUnited States magistrate judge for the District of Wyoming and was chief magistrate judge from 2012 to 2014.[4]
On December 19, 2023, PresidentJoe Biden announced his intent to nominate Rankin to serve as aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming.[3] His nomination received support from SenatorsJohn Barrasso andCynthia Lummis.[5][6] On January 10, 2024, his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Rankin to the seat vacated by JudgeNancy D. Freudenthal, who assumedsenior status on June 1, 2022.[7] On January 24, 2024, a hearing on his nomination was held before theSenate Judiciary Committee.[8] On February 29, 2024, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 20–1 vote.[9] On March 7, 2024, theUnited States Senate confirmed his nomination byvoice vote.[10] He received his judicial commission on March 12, 2024.[11]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelly Rankin | 8,579 | 96.5 | |
| Write-in | 309 | 3.5 | ||
| Total votes | 8,888 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelly Rankin | 8,891 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 8,891 | 100 | ||
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming 2024–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Wyoming 2025–present | |