The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves a hole in the nation’s highest court that leading Republicans are keen to fill before the upcoming election, leading to fevered speculation regarding the position of moderates who could swing the vote one way or another.
Senators narrowly confirmed Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s pick to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, in 2018 after a tense battle. The confirmation was in serious doubt as moderate senators including Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) weighed whether to back Kavanaugh amid sexual assault allegations.
