Topeka ? A Kansas Senate panel has endorsed Kathryn Gardner’s confirmation to the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that the full Senate confirm her. Gardner’s initial confirmation hearing Wednesday was tense as committee chairman Republican Sen. Jeff King from Independence aggressively questioned her qualifications.

Gardner has served as the law clerk for U.S. District Judge Sam Crow since 2000 after spending 12 years as a practicing lawyer in Wichita and two years as an assistant state attorney general. Republican Sen. Carolyn McGinn said she believed Gardner answered questions well, but wished the names of other applicants to the position were made public.

A spokesperson for the Senate said the chamber has not yet scheduled Gardner’s final confirmation, but the law requites it to be within 20 days.