CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Republican officeholders who deal with matters of the judiciary gathered this morning to express their support for the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was joined by Delegate John Shott, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Senator Charles Trump, chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee.
The three praised Gorsuch for being a strict constructionist. They said they believe he will represent the values of West Virginians if he is confirmed to the court.
Morrisey emphasized judicial matters of West Virginia interest, such as the legal battle over the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.
He said it’s in the state’s interest to have a nominee who cares about the text of the law.
“I believe Neil Gorsuch is such a person,” Morrisey said. “If he’s delayed, I believe that’s just politics.”
U.S. Senate Judiciary hearings on the nomination start March 20 and are expected to last three or four days.
To get to 60 votes for confirmation, Gorsuch would need all 52 Republicans and then eight Democrats.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., met with Gorsuch early this month and praised him.
Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., hasn’t acted like he opposes the Gorsuch nomination. Early this month, Manchin publicly said Democrats shouldn’t launch an all-out effort to block confirmation.
Still, Morrisey, Trump and Shott said they think it’s important to express their support from West Virginia’s Capitol.
Morrisey said he hopes West Virginia’s senators support Gorsuch through the confirmation process.
“I’m certainly hopeful that’s the case,” said Morrisey, whose name was floated last week by ‘National Review’ as a potential Republican opponent for Manchin in 2018. “I never take anyone’s vote for granted.”
Morrisey, Trump and Shott talked about the need for a 9th justice to fill out the Supreme Court after the 2016 death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
They did not express similar support for President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland. They said that’s because they believe Gorsuch is a better nominee.
“Some things are worth waiting for,” said Trump, R-Morgan.