Senator Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) said Friday that he will vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, becoming the last undecided senator to reveal his decision.
The West Virginia Democrat made his announcement just minutes after Republican senator Susan Collins of Maine announced her support for the nominee in a lengthy speech on the Senate floor that excoriated Democrats for degrading the confirmation process.
Manchin said in a statement that he will vote for Kavanaugh because he believes the judge will “rule in a manner that is consistent with our Constitution.”
“I have reservations about this vote given the serious accusations against Judge Kavanaugh and the temperament he displayed in the hearing,” Manchin’s statement said. “However, based on all the information I have available to me, including the recently completed FBI report, I have found Judge Kavanaugh to be a qualified jurist who will follow the Constitution and determine cases based on the legal findings before him.”
I will vote to support Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. pic.twitter.com/1FfuMTOZz8
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) October 5, 2018
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski announced earlier Friday that she will vote against Kavanaugh, making her the only Republican to come out definitively against the nominee. Senator Jeff Flake, another Republican swing vote, said he is leaning toward voting yes barring some unforeseen development.
Manchin is up for reelection this November in West Virginia, which President Trump won in 2016 by 42 points. He also voted last year for Trump’s first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch.