Susan Collins to give Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson first GOP vote

Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday she plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, giving her the first Republican vote for the role and all but ensuring her place on the court.

Collins made her decision following a second personal meeting with Jackson on Tuesday after the judge met with other swing-vote Republicans, though the Maine senator was the only one to announce her decision following the meeting.

"After reviewing Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s extensive record, watching much of her hearing testimony, and meeting with her twice in person, I have concluded that she possesses the experience, qualifications, and integrity to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. I will, therefore, vote to confirm her to this position," Collins said in an emailed statement to the Washington Examiner.

Last year, Collins was among a trio of Republican senators who voted to confirm Jackson to her role on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which also included Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

In her decision on Tuesday, Collins said she was reassured Jackson would not be “bending the law to meet a personal preference” and that Jackson met the prerequisite of her standards to serve on the highest court.