South Triangle News

The Harnett County Republican Party chairwoman said that Justice Amy Coney Barrett is "an amazing choice" for the U.S. Supreme Court.

County Chairwoman Maggie Sandrock's comments came after the Republican-led Senate confirmed Barrett to the nation's highest court.  

"Her credentials are stellar, her judicial temperament is exactly what this court needs and the fact that so many of her colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, have provided a 'full-throated' endorsement of her [is] amazing," Sandrock told the South Triangle News. "I feel that she will be an excellent addition to the court."

Barrett, 48, was appointed in 2017 to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, was sworn in on Oct. 26, as the 115th associate justice — and only the fifth woman — to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Her swearing-in followed the U.S. Senate's 52-to-48 vote to confirm Barrett, a week before the General Election and approximately four years since Senate Republicans refused to consider then-President Barack Obama's nominee, saying it was too close to the election.

The Senate's confirmation came 30 days after Barrett's nomination to the nation's highest court by President Donald Trump to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Republicans at all government levels, including Sandrock, have defended the quick appointment and the change in tune by GOP senators.

"The Senate and the president should not abrogate their responsibilities just because they are at the end of an election cycle," Sandrock told the South Triangle News. "Justice Ginsberg, herself, indicated the same."

Ginsburg wanted the next president to make the appointment to fill her seat.

Sandrock also said that claims Barrett's personal views would alter her rulings were unfounded.

"Concerns for those who are pro-abortion are not valid as Judge Barrett has indicated she would stand by precedent and frankly the chances of Roe v Wade being brought before the court are slim," Sandrock told the South Triangle News.