Sen. Susan Collins will back Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic bid for Supreme Court

Dave Goldiner

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) Wednesday announced she will vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court.

The GOP moderate becomes the first Republican to support Jackson’s groundbreaking nomination and all but seals her historic confirmation.

“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.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine (left), and Supreme Court Justice nominee, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson (right) meet on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine (left), and Supreme Court Justice nominee, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson (right) meet on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.


Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine (left), and Supreme Court Justice nominee, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson (right) meet on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (Drew Angerer/)

Collins said she decided after meeting with Jackson a second time after four days of stormy Senate hearings last week.

Jackson could have won with the support of all 50 Democrats in the evenly divided Senate since Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tie-breaking vote.

Collins’ support gives her a cushion in case of an unforeseen snag with any Democrats, all of whom voted to confirm her previously to an appeals court judgeship.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has already committed to voting for Jackson, but fellow moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) has not announced her decision.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Leila Jackson, daughter of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, listens as her mother testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Leila Jackson, daughter of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, listens as her mother testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (L), R-TX, speaks with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R), R-NC, as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (L), R-TX, speaks with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R), R-NC, as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's hearing on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's hearing on her nomination to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson talks to former Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) as she arrives for the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson talks to former Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) as she arrives for the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) (R-SC) questions U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) (R-SC) questions U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) questions U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) questions U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2022, in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court if confirmed.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her husband Dr. Patrick Jackson leave 13 hours after the start of the second day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her husband Dr. Patrick Jackson leave 13 hours after the start of the second day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's family, (L-R) brother Ketajh Brown and parents Jonny and Ellery Brown, watch as Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's family, (L-R) brother Ketajh Brown and parents Jonny and Ellery Brown, watch as Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson talks to White House liaison former Senator Doug Jones (L) as her husband Patrick Jackson watches as she arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson talks to White House liaison former Senator Doug Jones (L) as her husband Patrick Jackson watches as she arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson participates in her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson participates in her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined by her husband Patrick Jackson (R), in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined by her husband Patrick Jackson (R), in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 22, 2022 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, followed by her husband Patrick Jackson, arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill March 22, 2022, in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court if confirmed.
The parents of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Johnny Brown and Ellery Brown, listen during their daughter's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
The parents of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Johnny Brown and Ellery Brown, listen during their daughter's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson delivers her opening statement during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson delivers her opening statement during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers remarks during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers remarks during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson listens during the Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson listens during the Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L) shakes hands with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L) shakes hands with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn-in during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn-in during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
(L-R) Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Patrick Jackson talk during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
(L-R) Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Patrick Jackson talk during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 21, 2022.
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 21, 2022.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, will begin four days of nomination hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, will begin four days of nomination hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with her husband Patrick Jackson, on Capitol Hill March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC. If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with her husband Patrick Jackson, on Capitol Hill March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC. If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Law students from Southern University Law Center traveled from Baton Rouge, LA, to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Law students from Southern University Law Center traveled from Baton Rouge, LA, to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL) joins a rally in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL) joins a rally in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Capitol Police prepare for the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
U.S. Capitol Police prepare for the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on March 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
The U.S. Capitol building is seen before sunrise on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March. 21, 2022. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to begin its historic confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. The 51-year-old federal judge would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
The U.S. Capitol building is seen before sunrise on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March. 21, 2022. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to begin its historic confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. The 51-year-old federal judge would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a U.S. Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, poses for a portrait on Feb., 18, 2022, in her office at the court in Washington. Jackson's Supreme Court nomination confirmation hearing starts March 21. If confirmed, she would be the court's first Black female justice.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a U.S. Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, poses for a portrait on Feb., 18, 2022, in her office at the court in Washington. Jackson's Supreme Court nomination confirmation hearing starts March 21. If confirmed, she would be the court's first Black female justice.

Collins has a history of supporting Supreme Court nominees from presidents of both parties. She cast a controversial critical vote in favor of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and has said she considers nominees based on their qualifications and temperament, not their ideological stances.

Besides Collins, two other colleagues, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are considering voting to install the first African-American woman on the court in its 233-year history.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) backed Jackson for her appeals court position but sparred with Jackson during her confirmation hearing and has suggested he will flip-flop and vote against her.

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