A state Senate committee voted 7-2 Tuesday to recommend that the full Senate not approve the appointment of John Cooper of Pierre to the state Game, Fish & Parks Commission.

But that didn’t end Cooper’s confirmation hopes. The 35-member Senate will now consider the nomination, and either agree to reject Cooper’ nomination or confirm him as a member of the commission. It takes at least 18 votes for confirmation.

The committee also voted 9-0 to approve the reappointment of GF&P Commissioner Susan Knippling of Gann Valley for another term.

Gov. Mike Rounds announced his nomination of Cooper last week, a move that immediately stirred controversy. Cooper served as GF&P secretary for a total of 12 years under Rounds and former Gov. Bill Janklow. He was often a lightning rod for criticism of GF&P.

Critics of Cooper said he had been a divisive force in the often stormy relationships between GF&P and some state farmers and ranchers. Cooper’s supporters said he is eminently qualified to serve on the commission and worked as GF&P secretary to heal the landowner-GF&P divide.

Voting for Cooper’s nomination in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday were Sen. Cooper Garnos, R-Presho, and Sen. Mike Vehle, R-Mitchell. Voting against Cooper were Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center; Sen. Gordon Howie, R-Rapid City; Sen. Ryan Maher, D-Isabel; Sen. Frank Kloucek, D-Scotland; Sen. Jim Bradford, R-Pine Ridge; Sen. Jim Peterson, D-Revillo; and Sen. Tom Hanson, R-Huron.