JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouris Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill announced Wednesday she will vote against President Donald Trumps nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing his positions on dark money issues.
McCaskill said in a statement that the recent sexual assault allegations against him are troubling and deserve a thorough and fair examination by the Senate Judiciary Committee. But McCaskill added that she made her decision based on his positions on campaign finance issues, saying hell give free reign to anonymous donors and foreign governments to interfere with and influence elections.
It is his allegiance to the position that unlimited donations and dark anonymous money, from even foreign interests, should be allowed to swamp the voices of individuals that has been the determining factor in my decision to vote no on his nomination, McCaskill wrote. She added that shes also uncomfortable with his position that corporations are people.
McCaskills decision had been awaited by those watching her close re-election battle with Republican Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, who has called for Kavanaughs swift confirmation.
McCaskill is among 10 Senate Democrats up for re-election in states Trump won, and her vote on Kavanaugh could be pivotal to her chances at winning a third term.
Hawley on Wednesday blasted McCaskill for her decision, saying in a statement that nobody is surprised.
Claire McCaskill is now 0 for 6 on Supreme Court nominees since she started running for the Senate 12 long years ago, Hawley said. She has sided with Chuck Schumer every single time – for liberals and against Missouri. Senator McCaskill has forgotten where shes from and become just another Washington liberal.
Sen. McCaskill to vote no on Kavanaugh
