Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is being vetted to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Antonin Scalia’s death, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The report cites two unnamed sources that are familiar with the process.
{mosads}Sandoval is considered a moderate Republican.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Wednesday would not comment on whether the White House is vetting Sandoval.
“I suspect it is only the first of many stories that speculate on potential Supreme Court nominees,” Earnest said of the report.
“I don’t think it will be helpful for me to get into a rhythm of responding to each one as it appears. We are going to let the process play out.”
Sandoval announced last year he would not run to replace retiring Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), disappointing Republicans who hoped Sandoval could flip the seat for the GOP.
Nominating Sandoval would increase pressure on Republican senators, who have insisted they will not consider a nominee from President Obama, saying the next president should decide who replaces Scalia.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that he would not even meet with any potential nominee that the Obama administration puts forth.
Still, there have been signs that some Senate Republicans are willing to consider a nominee.
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) has called on Obama to pick a replacement who would “reflect the will of the people.”
“Should [Obama] decide to nominate someone to the Supreme Court, who knows, maybe it’ll be a Nevadan,” Heller said in a statement last week, in a seeming reference to Sandoval.
— Updated at 1:48 p.m.