Judge Thomas Hardiman is reportedly getting a closer look ahead of President Donald Trump's announcement Monday of his pick to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
According to The New York Times, the president has said positive things about Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a social conservative — and hasn't ruled out Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a former staff secretary to George W. Bush, either.
The only judge among the four finalists whom Trump appears to have all but ruled out is Raymond Kethledge, with concerns about his stance on immigration and other issues, the Times reported.
Meanwhile, unnamed sources tell the Times that Hardiman's personal story is compelling — he's the first member of his family to graduate from college and helped pay for it by driving a cab — and has a key link to the Trump family.
The Times reported Hardiman served with the president's sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, and has been recommended by her. Hardiman also has a conservative judicial record on gun rights and immigration, and hasn't taken a public stance on abortion or affirmative action.
Though Kavanaugh's considered the front-runner, he's come under fire from some conservatives, while Barrett appeals to Trump as someone who could galvanize the conservative base.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has tried to nudge the president toward Hardiman and Kethledge as the easier picks to get through Senate confirmation, the Times has reported.
Supporters of Hardiman told the Times he'd also be a lighter lift than other contenders during Senate confirmation.
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