President Barack Obama tapped federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court today, making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of a justice. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, would succeed retiring Justice David Souter. Two officials described Obama’s decision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made. Administration officials say Sotomayor, with 17 years on the bench, would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the past 70 years.
Obama had said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect and empathy — the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans. While Republican critics chafed at that, Democrats hold a large majority in the Senate, and barring the unexpected, Sotomayor’s confirmation should be assured.
In one of Sotomayor’s most notable decisions, as an appellate judge she sided last year with the city of New Haven, Conn., in a discrimination case brought by white firefighters. The city threw out results of a promotion exam because too few minorities scored high enough. Ironically, that case is now before the Supreme Court. That ruling has already drawn criticism from conservatives, and is likely to play a role in her confirmation hearing.
Sotomayor is a self-described “Newyorkrican” who grew up in a Bronx housing project after her parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico. As a girl, inspired by the Perry Mason television show, she knew she wanted to be a judge.
