WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., will vote for Elena Kagan to sit on the Supreme Court because she is “clearly qualified.”
“I have carefully followed the testimony of Solicitor General Elena Kagan before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the questions of committee members and the debate and comments about her nomination,” he said in a statement released by his office.
“I have also carefully reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents on her nomination. I have concluded that Solicitor General Elena Kagan is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and that she has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of court history and decisions,” he said.
Lugar described Kagan’s career in education and public service as “distinguished” and said she is “well regarded by the legal community and her peers.”
His position doesn’t alter the positive outlook for Kagan, who was already on track to be confirmed early next month.
Democrats have more than enough votes to push through her nomination, and Republican opponents have shown little inclination – despite pressure from conservative groups – to block the move through a filibuster.
Lugar’s announcement is the latest in what’s expected to be a trickle of support among the Senate’s band of GOP moderates for President Obama’s choice to succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens.
Most Republicans argue that Kagan would seek to impose a liberal political agenda on the Supreme Court, moving to expand abortion rights, sanction gay marriage and curb gun rights, among other things.
Political pressures are also playing a role a few months away from midterm elections, with interest groups leaning on senators to display their differences with Obama by voting down his nominee.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Tuesday became the first Republican to say he’d join Democrats in backing Kagan.
Lugar is one of seven Republicans who voted to confirm Kagan last year as solicitor general. Three GOP conservatives who did so – Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Jon Kyl of Arizona – are opposing her for the Supreme Court.
The other three – Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg – have yet to announce their intentions.
Collins, Gregg and Snowe are all considered potential GOP supporters of Kagan, as is Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, who said Tuesday he hadn’t decided how to vote.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
