President Joe Biden has said he will nominate a Black woman to the US Supreme Court for the first time in history, filling the vacancy left by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
Candace Jackson-Akiwumi has been noted as one of the most likely potential nominees for a Supreme Court appointment under President Joe Biden.
Jackson-Akiwumi is married to her husband, Eric Akiwumi, a Nigerian-American.
“I’ve made no decision except (the) person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity,” Biden said in an address from the White House.
“And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court.”
Speaking at a podium alongside Breyer, Biden also indicated that he would seek a speedy nomination process, promising to name his candidate by the end of February.
The exit of Breyer, who is 83, gives Biden a likely smooth opportunity to name a replacement to the lifelong seat on the Supreme Court, while his Democratic Party retains control of the Senate.
The Supreme Court is currently split between six conservatives and three liberals. Biden will now nominate another liberal-leaning jurist to the court, maintaining the balance.
Breyer had been under pressure from liberals to leave in time for Biden to get his nominee through the Senate before November’s midterm elections when Republicans are in a solid position to win majorities in Congress and would then control the approval process.
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