*By Conor White*
While most reports indicate Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett are the two front-runners to fill the soon-to-be-vacant seat on the Supreme Court, USA Today reporter David Jackson believes President Trump could have a surprise in store for everyone.
In an interview Thursday on Cheddar, Jackson hinted that Raymond Kethledge, a Michigan-based appeals court judge, is still firmly in the mix and could be the pick.
"Trump was very impressed with the fact that he's written a book about leadership," Jackson explained. "I'm told that Trump's personal feeling in these personal interviews is going to be very important, and apparently he got along quite well with Kethledge."
But Kethledge is contending with two other popular candidates. Coney Barrett is a former Notre Dame professor and was Trump's pick for a seat on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Kavanaugh is a former clerk for Justice Anthony Kennedy, who will retire at the end of the month, and worked for Ken Starr during the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky investigation. Jackson believes the job is his to lose.
"He's been around a long time, he's a well known guy," he explained. "I would say he's really the favorite."
But there's an opportunity for someone to play the spoiler. Jackson pointed out not everyone is a fan of the 53-year-old Kavanaugh.
"He also has his critics, a lot of whom point out he worked for George W. Bush, which isn't a plus in Trump World."
That detail may open the door for Barrett. Jackson noted that while she's been a judge for less than a year, the 46-year-old has plenty of supporters, thanks to her religious beliefs.
"She also was involved in a very controversial confirmation earlier this year, where her Catholic faith became an issue," Jackson explained. "Some Democrats questioned whether she could fairly judge the abortion issues and privacy issues because she was such a devoted Catholic, and of course that created quite a flap and created a lot of fans for Judge Barrett among religious conservatives, who are very important to the Trump administration."
President Trump is expected to announce his pick to replace Kennedy on July 9th.
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/two-frontrunners-emerge-for-scotus-seat)
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