In Tennessee's U.S. Senate race, Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn is backing President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee and Democratic ex-Gov. Phil Bredesen is holding judgment until after confirmation hearings.
Blackburn said Monday that Brett Kavanaugh will make a fine Supreme Court justice, calling him a strong constitutionalist with a record of upholding the rule of law.
Before Kavanaugh's nomination announcement, Bredesen said he'd vote for or against a nominee based on high qualifications and ethics, not partisan politics.
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Bredesen said the nominee deserves a fair and timely confirmation hearing and he'll hold judgment until after hearings.
The two hope to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker, who called Kavanaugh a well-respected jurist. Republican Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander called Kavanaugh well-qualified.
Kavanaugh's Senate confirmation vote is expected before the November election.
