Local

Senator Rick Scott speaks on meeting Judge Amy Barrett

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Senator Rick Scott met with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Barrett Tuesday to get the ball rolling with filling the empty seat.

Scott appeared on Jacksonville’s Morning News and said he was impressed by Barrett and will vote to approve her.

“She said her goal is to interpret the law, not make the law. So she was clear and that’s what was most important to me," Scott said. "When I talk to judges, I don’t ask them about their opinions on issues because it’s not their choice. They get to only interpret the laws that the state legislature makes or Congress makes. And so I was impressed.”

The Senator said that the vote to approve Barrett would happen before Election Day. He emphasized the importance of filling the empty Supreme Court seat.

“It should happen as quickly as we can do it in a responsible manner," Scott said. "And that’s what we’re doing.”

Scott initially advocated for Florida’s Judge Barbara Lagoa. Lagoa became the first Latina and the first Cuban American woman appointed to serve on the Florida Supreme Court in 2019.

“I would have been excited to have the first Floridian ever on the Supreme Court, the first Hispanic female, the first Cuban American female on the Supreme Court, somebody that we’ve seen for years do a great job in Florida,” Scott said.

Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee is a General Assignment Reporter for 104.5 WOKV.