TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on Florida reaction to Brett Kavanaugh nomination (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says that Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Scott put out a statement a day after a Senate committee heard testimony from Kavanaugh where he adamantly denied sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford, who insisted she’s “100 percent” certain he did.
Scott said the testimony of both Kavanaugh and Ford was “convincing” but he said that in the end he didn’t know what happened between Ford and Kavanaugh 36 years ago.
In his statement, Scott said that “the truth is that none of us really know. So, I have to go with what I do know - Judge Kavanaugh has been a fair and brilliant judge.”
Scott is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the November election. Nelson said on Friday he will vote against Kavanaugh.
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10:50 a.m.
Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio says he will vote in favor of the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The Republican senator made his announcement a day after a Senate committee heard testimony from Kavanaugh where he adamantly denied sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford, who insisted she’s “100 percent” certain he did.
Rubio put out a lengthy statement on Friday where he sharply criticized the Senate and media for the handling of the allegations against Kavanaugh. But he said that there is no independent corroboration of Ford’s testimony which he said was at “odds with everything else we have heard about his character.”
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says he will vote against Kavanaugh once the nomination comes to the full Senate.
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9:52 a.m.
Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says he will oppose the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The Democratic incumbent said Friday he will vote no if the nomination comes to the full Senate.
Nelson’s decision comes a day after a Senate committee heard testimony from Kavanaugh where he adamantly denied sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford, who insisted she’s “100 percent” certain he did.
Nelson hadn’t taken a position publicly on Kavanaugh previously.
In a statement, Nelson called Ford’s testimony “compelling” and raises questions about Kavanaugh’s character. He added that there needs to be a full FBI investigation of the allegations.
Nelson declared his opposition amid a contentious and tight re-election battle. Republican Gov. Rick Scott is challenging Nelson and has previously come out in support of Kavanaugh.
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