Four Senate Democrats from red states turned down invites to attend President Trump’s planned Monday night announcement of his nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy.
[Update: Trump nominates Brett Kavanaugh to Supreme Court]
Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., all rejected invitations to the White House for the announcement, which is set for 9 p.m. Eastern.
“While I appreciate the invitation from the White House to attend this evening’s announcement, I declined so that I can meet first with the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience and perspectives,” Donnelly said in a statement. “In the coming days, I will be reviewing the record and qualifications of the president’s nominee.”
[Related: McConnell: ‘Hard to keep a straight face’ on Democrats’ Supreme Court opposition]
“Sen. Heitkamp was invited but isn’t able to attend tonight,” said Abbie McDonough, a spokeswoman for Heitkamp. “She has made clear – as she said to the president in person two weeks ago – that she considers fully vetting Supreme Court nominees one of the most important jobs of any U.S. senator, and she plans to fulfill that critical duty.”
After a spokesman for Manchin confirmed his decision, the West Virginia Democrat echoed Donnelly and tweeted out that he appreciates the invite and looks forward to discussing the issues with the nominee.
“I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight’s announcement at the WH,” Manchin said. “I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions.”
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Sam Coleman, a spokesman for Jones, confirmed that the Alabama Democrat also received an invite but will not attend.
While the four will not be at the White house, 30 of the 50 Senate Republicans in town are expected to attend, according to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Donnelly, Heitkamp and Manchin all voted for Gorsuch in April 2017 and will be under pressure to support the nominee, while Jones was not yet a member of the Senate. According to reports, Trump has made his decision after winnowing his choices down to Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Judge Thomas Hardiman.
Hardiman was the runner-up to Gorsuch last year.
