Honolulu attorney James H. Ashford is poised to succeed Dean Ochai to a six-year term as a district judge on Oahu, after a Senate panel recommended his nomination be approved by the full Senate.

A vote by the full Senate, meeting in special session this week to take up the nomination, is scheduled Tuesday.

The Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee today voted unanimously, 7-0, to consent to Ashford’s nomination. Sen. Les Ihara (D, Moiliili-Kaimuki-Palolo) voted “with reservations.”