As the Senate moves closer to confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court, a new poll released Wednesday indicated she has widespread support from the public.
Two-thirds of Americans said that if they were senators they would vote to confirm Jackson, according to a Marquette Law School poll. Nearly half of the poll’s respondents described the appellate judge as “very qualified” to serve on the nation’s highest court.
Democrats are pushing for a final vote on Jackson’s confirmation by Easter after four days of hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Jackson, who would replace retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, appeared to navigate difficult questions about her sentencing of child pornography offenders without losing support.
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“She’s in better shape than a lot of the issues springing up at the court where the partisan divides can be stark,” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette poll, noting that President Joe Biden’s nominee has support from nearly three in 10 Republicans. “Joe Biden would love to get 29 percent of the Republican Party.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Jackson’s confirmation on Monday. Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday became the first Senate Republican to say she will support Jackson for the high court.
“After reviewing Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s extensive record, watching much of her hearing testimony, and meeting with her twice in person, I have concluded that she possesses the experience, qualifications, and integrity to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court,” Collins said. “I will, therefore, vote to confirm her to this position.”