Who Might Take Scalia's Seat?

Look toward the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 14, 2016 9:00 AM CST
Who Might Take Scalia's Seat?
This artist rendering shows Deputy Solicitor General Sri Srinivasan addressing the Supreme Court, including Justices Samuel Alito, and Elena Kagan, March 27, 2013, as the court heard arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)

With the death of Antonin Scalia, the longest-serving justice on the Supreme Court, comes the inevitable question of who might succeed him on the bench. Some of the bigger names being floated, via USA Today and Roll Call:

  • Sri Srinivasan: The 48-year-old Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit judge tops both lists. He sailed unanimously through Senate confirmation in 2013, and he'd be the first Indian-American to sit on the high court.

  • Patricia Millett: The 52-year-old sits on the DC Circuit Court with Srinivasan, and has argued 32 cases before the Supreme Court.
  • Merrick Garland: Another DC Circuit Court justice; he's moderate, and his name was brought up for the Supreme Court nomination that ultimately went to Elena Kagan. Possible down side: He's 63, and a bit older than most potential nominees.
  • Amy Klobuchar: The 55-year-old Minnesota senator's name is mentioned with an eye toward a contentious Senate that might be less likely to block one of their own.
  • Deval Patrick: The 59-year-old former Massachusetts governor spent time in the Justice Department, and is a close friend of President Obama.
  • Kamala Harris: California's 51-year-old attorney general is seen as a rising Democratic star, and is currently running for Barbara Boxer's Senate seat.
The rest of the list is here. (More Antonin Scalia stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X