Donald Trump releases second list of potential Supreme Court justice picks

Jardine Malado Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has released a new set of potential judges that would be appointed to the Supreme Court if he would be elected.

Last May, the candidate initially listed 11 names in the first batch of possible Supreme Court justices. Trump added 10 more names, one of which could be a potential replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia who passed away in February.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., September 8, 2016. | REUTERS/Mike Segar

The names on the second list include Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell, Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady, Kentucky District Court Judge Amul Thapar, U.S. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Timothy Tymkovich and Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young.

Trump reiterated that he would appoint a justice like Scalia who would protect the nation's liberty and uphold the Constitution. He expressed his gratitude to The Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society for helping him choose the people in the list.

Lee, a senator who was shortlisted by Trump, has been critical of Trump's candidacy and has refused to endorse him.

"Sen. Lee already has the job he wants which is why he is campaigning to represent the great people of Utah again this year," Lee's spokesperson Conn Carroll said in a statement. "This does not change Sen. Lee's mind about Trump in any way whatsoever," Carroll added.

One person on the list that caught the attention of pro-lifers is Canady. According to Bay News 9, Canady has consistently favored restrictions on abortion laws.

"He is a strong pro-life leader and would make a great justice," said Pam Olsen, a pro-life activist who emphasized that she did not initially support Trump.

She stated that the Canady's inclusion in the list was influential in her decision to support the candidate.

"You never know what moves a person to suddenly decide, you know, 'I'm going to cast my vote this way'," Olsen said. "The reality is, I hope the voters in Florida look at the issue of life and look at, yes, we do have a Florida Supreme Court justice that could end up on the U.S. Supreme Court," she added.