The South Carolina Appellate Law Blog is reporting that Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge H. Emory Widener Jr. “has advised the White House that he is taking senior status” – a form of “semi-retirement” for federal judges who have achieved the necessary combination of age and years of service. Widener was “solidly conservative” and the court tilted to the right largely because of his vote.

Widener previously announced that he would take senior status only once a replacement was confirmed, but this decision is said to be effective immediately. He was first appointed to the court by President Nixon in 1972.

With this news, the Fourth Circuit is roughly divided as follows:

Conservative: Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, Judge Paul V. Niemeyer, Chief Judge Karen J. Williams, Judge Dennis W. Shedd.

Moderate: Judge William B. Traxler, Jr. (leans right), Judge Allyson K. Duncan (leans left)

Liberal: Judge M. Blane Michael, Judge Diana Gribbon Motz, Judge Robert B. King, Judge Roger L. Gregory [South Carolina Appellate Law Blog]

The Fourth Circuit covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It is the last stop before the U.S. Supreme Court for cases in those districts.