BOOM! NJ GOP senator will vote for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, ensuring nomination proceeds

Grand slam!

Gardner supports moving forward on Ginsburg seat, striking blow to Dem chances of halting nomination

By: Christal Hayes, USA TODAY, September 20, 2020:

WASHINGTON – Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican in a tough reelection race in a swing state, said Monday he supports moving forward on a Supreme Court nomination to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, significantly lowering Democrats’ chances of stopping the process until after the November election.

Gardner, who is facing a re-election challenge from former Gov. John Hickenlooper in Colorado, was viewed as one of the last potential holdouts that could halt the Senate from voting to approve President Donald Trump’s nominee to the high court. But a statement Monday evening made clear he will support moving forward in the process, likely leaving Republicans the votes to clear a nominee even if such a process comes before the November election.

“When a President exercises constitutional authority to nominate a judge for the Supreme Court vacancy, the Senate must decide how to best fulfill its constitutional duty of advice and consent,” Gardner said in a Monday evening statement. “I have and will continue to support judicial nominees who will protect our Constitution, not legislate from the bench, and uphold the law. Should a qualified nominee who meets this criteria be put forward, I will vote to confirm.”