Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said President Trump should nominate Sen. Mike Lee to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the Utah Republican is “a sure thing” and “battle-tested, ready, and willing to serve.”
Mr. Cruz, who is running for re-election, wrote in an Fox News op-ed Thursday that Mr. Lee has the qualities needed for the job, said he won’t “bend his principles” and said he is in the mold of Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“No other candidate has his combination of record, ability, and a sure-fire path to confirmation — and no other candidate would excite conservative voters this November more than someone they know and trust, like Mike Lee,” Mr. Cruz wrote. “Moreover, Senator Lee safeguards President Trump’s Supreme Court legacy for all-time, because there is not a single soul out there who can doubt that a Justice Mike Lee would remain true to the convictions he has fought for his entire life.”
Mr. Trump has interviewed Mr. Lee as he sorts out his top pick for the job.
Mr. Lee is beloved by conservatives. He won his seat in Utah after defeating incumbent GOP Sen. Bob Bennett in 2010.
Mr. Cruz highlighted Mr. Lee’s service as a clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito and as a federal prosecutor.
“Senator Lee will interpret the Constitution and statutes according to their original meaning and text,” the Texas senator said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.