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Florida officials react to Justice Amy Coney Barrett


Amy Coney Barrett was sworn during a White House ceremony Monday night, following a vote that saw her nomination be confirmed by the Senate.

In a 52-48 vote, the high chamber handed President Donald Trump a victory with just 7 days remaining until Election Day. Republicans overcame stark Democratic opposition, making Judge Barrett the 115th justice to the Supreme Court. Barrett also became the fifth woman to sit on the high court.

Barrett, a 48-year-old appeals court judge, will now fill the vacancy left by the late liberal icon, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, after her passing just six weeks before the General Election.

While Trump still trails in the polls nationally, the swearing-in of Barrett gives the political right something to cheer about in the lead up to the election. With Barrett cementing a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans hope to parlay Barrett’s triumph into another four-year lease for the President.

And with the election looming, no piece of real estate is more important to the Trump campaign than Florida. While Trump’s path to victory must include him retaining Rust Belt states, early election night indicators in the Sunshine State will be must-watch TV.

That said, leaders and officials across Florida have a vested interest in the hotly-contested race, as well as how Barrett’s confirmation will play into the Nov. 3rd showdown.

Monday night’s confirmation by the Senate came as a surprise to no one, with many in the political arena knowing that it was a foregone conclusion that Barrett would be the one to tilt the court right. Naturally, Republicans across the state applauded the confirmation, with many state officials and pointing to Barrett’s credentials, experience and textualist approach to the bench.

Although GOP legislators rejoiced Barrett’s achievement, Democrats in Florida didn’t mince words, openly rejecting the vote while lambasting Republicans for expediting the confirmation process.

Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the judicial oath to Barrett on Tuesday.