THIRD DEMOCRATIC SENATOR SAYS HE’LL BACK GORSUCH

Washington — Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly said Sunday he’ll support the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, the third Democrat to break with the party as Republicans line up behind President Donald Trump’s choice for the high court.

With 52 Republican senators, eight votes from Democrats or the Senate’s two independents would be needed to advance the nomination and prevent a filibuster. So far, only Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia — all representing states Trump won in November and all up for re-election next year — have said they will vote to confirm Gorsuch.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he didn’t expect Gorsuch to receive 60 votes to overcome a filibuster threat.