President Biden is focusing on diversity as a key aspect of his strategy for filling any Supreme Court vacancies in a second term. After successfully nominating Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, he plans to emphasize her confirmation to key constituencies, especially Black voters. Following Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement, Biden has committed to nominating the first Black woman as his replacement, with judges Leondra Kruger and J. Michelle Childs remaining top contenders for the Supreme Court. The president has been actively nominating diverse federal judges, with almost two-thirds being women and an equal percentage belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group.
Biden’s list of potential Supreme Court candidates includes a diverse group of individuals, such as Leondra Kruger, a California Supreme Court Justice with a stellar record and moderate leanings. Sri Srinivasan, a D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge, could become the high court’s first Asian American justice, known for his practical and non-ideological approach. Elizabeth Prelogar, the U.S. Solicitor General, has a varied background that includes clerking for Justices Ginsburg and Kagan. Lisa Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General and former national security adviser, could also be a strong contender for a Supreme Court nomination.
Other potential candidates include Candace Jackson-Akiwumi and J. Michelle Childs, both U.S. Court of Appeals Judges who bring unique perspectives to the bench. Nancy Maldonado, a U.S. District Court Judge, could become the first Hispanic judge on the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Patricia Millett, a D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge, is praised for her fair-minded approach and extensive experience in appellate law. Cindy Kyounga Chung, a 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge, brings diversity as a Korean-American native and former U.S. attorney.
Several other judges, such as Roopali Desai, Lucy Haeran Koh, and Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the list of potential Supreme Court nominees. Michelle Friedland, Jacqueline Hong-Ngoc Nguyen, and Arianna Freeman also add to the pool of qualified candidates. With a strong emphasis on diversity, representation, and varied experiences, President Biden’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees reflects his commitment to creating a bench that is reflective of the country’s diverse population.
In addition to judges, Senator Cory Booker and Senator Amy Klobuchar are also mentioned as potential Supreme Court candidates, given their national prominence and backgrounds in law and politics. Booker, the former mayor of Newark and one of four Black senators, and Klobuchar, a former county prosecutor and adviser to former Vice President Walter Mondale, have both been involved in high-profile cases and confirmation hearings. Their inclusion on the list of potential Supreme Court nominees highlights the importance of political backgrounds and experience in shaping the future composition of the court.
President Biden’s commitment to diversity and representation on the bench is evident in his selection of potential Supreme Court nominees. With a focus on including women, minorities, and individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, Biden is working to create a Supreme Court that reflects the rich tapestry of American society. As the presidential campaign intensifies, Biden’s emphasis on diversity in judicial appointments is likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of the nation’s highest court.
