The four candidates under most serious consideration are all appeals-courts judges who were placed on the bench by Trump. Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals became a national news story in September 2017 when Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein and a few other critics made an issue of the nominee’s religious views. In large part because of that experience, Barrett has become a favorite of social conservatives. She was considered for the Supreme Court nomination that ultimately went to Brett Kavanaugh.
Like Barrett, 6th Circuit Judge Joan Larsen clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in 2016. She had been serving on the Michigan Supreme Court when Trump nominated her for her current job. Of the top four candidates, Larsen had the widest margin in her confirmation vote, winning the backing of 60 senators including eight Democrats.
Judge Amul Thapar is also on the 6th Circuit. A Kentuckian, he has the strong support of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. Like many conservative judges, Thapar has expressed concern that excessive judicial deference to administrative agencies undermines the separation of powers.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member