AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee has endorsed the appointment of Charles LaVerdiere, a Wilton lawyer and former legislator, to the District Court.

At a hearing Thursday, the panel voted 10-0, with three members absent, in favor of the nomination, which now goes to the state Senate.

Fourteen people spoke in favor of LaVerdiere; no one opposed the nomination.

House Speaker Patrick Colwell called LaVerdiere “one of the most highly principled men I have ever known.”

“I strongly support this candidate. He’s smart, he’s fair and he will serve this state well,” Colwell told the committee.

If confirmed, LaVerdiere, 51, would replace Douglas Clapp, who is retiring, and will serve as the primary judge in Skowhegan.