Tampa freshman Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor on Tuesday called on President Bush to finally announce a nominee for U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

James Klindt has been serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Tampa-based district for nearly seven months, since Paul Perez left the top federal prosecutor's post in March.

But Klindt's 210-day temporary appointment expires Friday, and the White House has not announced a nominee to permanently fill the job. Florida's two senators, Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, submitted the names of three candidates to the Bush administration this summer.

Klindt did not apply for the job.

"The term of the acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida will expire in only a few days," wrote Castor in her letter to Bush. "A permanent replacement is vital to the safety and security of my community and neighbors.

"Three well-qualified candidates were recommended to you this summer by Florida U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, but you have not acted," Castor added in her letter.

"I am concerned that your failure to act constitutes a circumvention of the law. You have been replacing U.S. attorneys with long-term replacements in a way that evades congressional approval," Castor wrote.

Castor also said the Middle District is one of the busiest in the country and covers a large area of Florida stretching from the Georgia border south through her Tampa Bay area district to Naples.

"The continued delay in the appointment of the U.S. attorney for the Middle District cannot wait any longer," Castor said.

"The position must be filled in a timely manner and filled without regard to the politics that has infused the Justice Department. My neighbors need someone to be accountable for the federal prosecution of criminal cases, investigations of organized crime and homeland security duties," she said.

Neither White House spokesman Blair Jones nor the Department of Justice had any comment Tuesday on what will happen Friday, when Klindt's term as acting U.S. attorney expires.

Jones also said he could not discuss why there has not been any action taken on the three U.S. attorney candidates submitted to the White House by the two senators.

Ken Lundberg, a spokesman for Martinez, said Tuesday that "we are still waiting for the White House."

Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont continues to keep close tabs on developments in Tampa.

In recent weeks, Leahy has voiced concerns over the Bush administration's use of temporary appointments to U.S. attorney posts, which he asserts is intended as an "end-run" around Senate confirmation of permanent nominees.

Specifically, Leahy has questioned the administration's use of the Vacancies Reform Act to appoint acting replacements when U.S. attorneys step down, and then afterward pick interim appointees - perhaps the same person - for another 120 days after the 210-day terms of the acting U.S. attorneys expire.

"They have used this misguided approach to put somebody in place for 330 days without the advice and consent of the Senate," said Leahy last month. "This approach runs afoul of congressional intent and the law."