nominee

Nate Smith would be the first to tell you that he makes for a peculiar nominee for new artist of the year at Wednesday night’s Country Music Assn.

At the time of the Nov. 5 election, there were 47 vacancies on the federal bench, with 17 nominees awaiting confirmation.

But I can also see many academy members — the ones who put “The Zone of Interest” among the best picture nominees last year — placing it atop their ballots.

One is the latest contender by a 15-time nominee and honorary Oscar recipient who has been in the business for more than 40 years, sung by a recent Oscar winner herself.

He appears to see it as a bonus if one of his nominees or allies has faced such allegations.