President Barack Obama has nominated Edward Tarver to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. If confirmed by the Senate, Tarver would be the first African American to serve as chief federal prosecutor in the Southern District.

Senator Edward Tarver At the time of the Tarver nomination, the President also announced nominees for US Attorney posts in other areas, including Michael Moore for the Middle District of Georgia, and Carmen Ortiz for Massachusetts. Ortiz would be the first Hispanic and first female US Attorney in Massachusetts.

"I have nominated these three outstanding men and women to serve as US Attorneys in their states," President Obama said. "I nominated them for their diligence, intellect, integrity and their commitment to serving the public good. They will be distinguished US Attorneys, and I am grateful for their willingness to serve."

Tarver is shareholder in the Augusta law firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett and Salley, and has been a Georgia State Senator since September 2005. He received his B.A. degree from Augusta State University in 1981 and his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1991. Between college and law school, he served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain. After graduating from law school, he clerked for Judge Dudley Bowen, Jr. on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Tarver resides in Augusta with his wife Beverly. They are the parents of two children, Edward, Jr. and Beverly Elizabeth.