The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Michael Fitzgerald to a seat on the federal court for Central California, gay weekly The Washington Blade reported.

Senators approved Fitzgerald, a 52-year-old Los Angeles lawyer, with a 91 to 6 vote.

President Barack Obama nominated Fitzgerald eight months ago, but partisan politics in the upper house blocked his confirmation from coming to a vote.

California Senator Barbara Boxer, who recommended Fitzgerald for the post, called him “highly-qualified” on the Senate floor.

“He is an historic choice, and a vote of Mr. Fitzgerald's nomination is long overdue, because he was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously 133 days ago, on November 3, 2011,” she said. “It really shouldn't take this long to confirm such a highly-qualified nominee like Mr. Fitzgerald, especially because his seat has been designated a judicial emergency.”

“I am honored by the Senate's confirmation vote today,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “I am grateful to the president for my nomination. I am grateful to Senator Boxer for her recommendation of me to the president. I am grateful to Senator [Barbara] Feinstein for her support in the Senate Judiciary Committee. I look forward to serving the people of the Central District of California.”

The White House has elevated two additional out federal judges: Paul Oetken and Alison Nathan. A third choice, Edmund DuMont, asked to have his name withdrawn.