Trump attracted to Supreme Court candidate Thomas Hardiman’s personal story: report

President Trump has reportedly taken a renewed interest in Judge Thomas Hardiman as a potential Supreme Court nominee because of the jurist’s personal story.

The New York Times reported that as Trump narrows his list of potential candidates to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, Hardiman has moved toward the front of the pack. The president reportedly appreciates that Hardiman is the first in his family to graduate from college, and that he helped pay his way there by driving a taxi.

Hardiman also has the support of Trump’s older sister, Maryanne Trump Barry. She served with Hardiman on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and gave him a strong endorsement for the Supreme Court.

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Hardiman, who lost out on a Supreme Court nod last year to Justice Neil Gorsuch, is said to be one of four front-runners for Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee pick. He joins Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge. Trump is scheduled to announce his choice on Monday night.

The Times reported Saturday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested to Trump that Hardiman and Kethledge might face less opposition in a confirmation hearing battle.

Republicans on Sunday expressed optimism that they would be able to successfully confirm any of the four judges.