Donnelly Won’t Support Trump Supreme Court Nominee Kavanaugh

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) says he has “deep reservations” about President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and will vote against him.

The Hoosier Democrat, who faces a tough re-election bid, is seen as a key swing vote in the nomination fight.

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford says Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school. And she testified Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the incident.

Kavanaugh strenuously denies the allegation. And he accused Democrats of an orchestrated political hit as revenge for the Clintons.

Republicans denied requests for an FBI investigation into the allegations. And Donnelly says because of that, he doesn’t have enough information to vote for Kavanaugh.

Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics Director Andrew Downs says that’s not a surprise.

“There probably are a fair number of moderate Republicans who after what they saw yesterday and the accusations might have been a little unsure of whether they wanted to support Brett Kavanaugh as well,” Downs says. “So, I think from an electoral standpoint, this was probably a pretty good decision for him.”

Republican challenger Mike Braun calls Donnelly’s decision a “grave mistake.”

Senator Todd Young

Indiana’s Republican Senator Todd Young says he will vote to confirm Kavanaugh.  In a statement, he says, “After watching today’s hearing, and conducting a thorough and objective review of his nomination, I remain convinced that Judge Kavanaugh is a man of integrity who will be an excellent addition to the Supreme Court. I will be voting to confirm him.”