Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Sunday there are some individuals on President Trump’s list of candidates to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy whom she could not support.
[Related: Meet the contenders to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court]
During an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Collins said these people, whom she did not name, have “demonstrated a disrespect” for stare decisis, the doctrine by which courts adhere to their own precedents.
“There are people on that list whom I could not support because I believe that they have demonstrated a disrespect for the vital principal of stare decisis, which as Chief Justice [John] Roberts has said is a fundamental principle of our judicial system that promotes evenhandedness and stability,” Collins said.
GOP @SenatorCollins on Pres. Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees: “There are people on that list whom I could not support” #ThisWeek https://t.co/s5XgPCmrVq pic.twitter.com/kuO0q8FRCs
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 1, 2018
The senator added that she urged Trump to widen his search, and noted that the White House counsel had informed her that Trump had added a few names to Trump’s previously released list of 25 candidates.
Kennedy announced his retirement last week, after which Trump said he had narrowed his list to five people, including two women. He said Friday that he will announce his pick on July 9.
Republicans maintain a slim majority in the Senate, who would consider Trump’s eventual nominee, making every vote, including Collins’, count.
