Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and his Democratic challenger Russ Feingold disagree on whether the Senate should vote on confirming a new U.S. Supreme Court justice.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland to replace Antonin Scalia who died last month.
“The highly politicized atmosphere of a presidential election is not conducive to the nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court justice,” Johnson said, contending that it’s more fair and democratic to have the president and Senate elected by voters in November decide.
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But Feingold said partisan politics should not shut down the process.
“Now that the president has fulfilled his constitutional obligation to nominate a potential justice, it’s time for the Senate to do its job,” he said.
In a statement Wednesday, Johnson’s Democratic counterpart, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, said she was “pleased” with Obama’s appointment.
“I now plan to do my job by reviewing Judge Garland’s experience and qualifications for our highest court. I also look forward to meeting with Judge Garland. I hope my Republican colleagues will do the same thing.”
Johnson faces Feingold in November in a rematch of their 2010 contest.
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