KAVANAUGH

He instead sees himself as a potential “backstop” if elected governor.

“I’m not going to be personalizing the fight over the Supreme Court slot. What I think is important to recognize is, as changes occur like this, elections like the one we’re going to fight this year in the state of Ohio will have a lot to do with whether we‘re going to be preserving our rights in this state, and that is something I will work hard to do as governor,” he said.

Cordray’s Republican opponent, Attorney General Mike DeWine, a former U.S. senator, said Tuesday he is thrilled with Trump’s choice of Kavanaugh.

“I’m very exited about this nomination. The president of the United States has continued to be consistent in putting people on the federal bench who are conservatives, strict constructionists. Kavanaugh is extremely well qualified. ... I support him and look forward to seeing him on the court,” DeWine said.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said he’s known Kavanaugh for more than 15 years. Both held positions in different Bush administrations, and the two crossed paths when Portman was the U.S. trade representative and director of the federal Office of Management and Budget.

“He is just a wonderful person,” Portman said. “He’s everything you’d want in a judge in my view.” He called Kavanaugh “a person with a big heart.”

“I think most Americans will be very impressed with him when they get to know him,” Portman said, adding that Kavanaugh was “a smart pick.”