Arlington attorney David Aptaker, criticized for failing to disclose donations he made to two politicians, has withdrawn his candidacy to be a judge, The Boston Globe reportedJuly 17. Aptaker sent a letter to Gov. Patrick stating that "an honest mistake on my part has become too much of a distraction in the approval process."

Patrick had nominated him to be an associate justice of the Middlesex Family and Probate Court. Aptaker donated $350 to John Buonomo, the former Middlesex register of probate, and $200 to James Marzilli, a former state senator from Arlington.

Buonomo has since been convicted of theft, and Marzilli resigned after being charged with sexual assault. He faces trial this fall.

The report does not say when Aptaker made the donations.

State Republicans urged Patrick to rescind the judicial nomination, The Globe reported July 3.

State Senate Republicans said in a letter to Patrick that the nominee failed to disclose campaign contributions on his judicial questionnaire to James Marzilli of Arlington, a former state senator, and John Buonomo, a former Middlesex County Register of Probate.

"The Governor’s Council should not be asked to compromise the integrity of the judicial system by rubber-stamping a candidate who has so blatantly obfuscated and misrepresented his position," state Senators Richard Tisei, Bruce Tarr, Michael Knapik, Robert Hedlund, and Richard Ross wrote in their letter.

On June 30, the council agreed to delay a vote on Aptaker after two councilors alleged he had omitted the donations to Marzilli, who faces trial this fall on sexual-assault charges, and Buonomo, who has been convicted of theft.