Senate Democrats on Thursday voted 59-39 to install David Hamilton to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.Hamilton needed 51 votes to be confirmed. Senators voted 70-29 on Tuesday to begin debate on his nomination.President Barack Obama nominated Hamilton for the lifetime appointment in March, but the appointment lagged in the Senate after Republicans raised concerns over Hamilton’s record on abortion and public prayer issues. Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), whose panel approved the nomination on a party-line vote in June, argued that the confirmation vote should not have taken this long.“This is a nomination that should be confirmed and should have been confirmed months ago,— Leahy said. “David Hamilton is a fine judge and will make a good addition to the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.—Ten judicial nominations remain pending on the Senate’s executive calendar.