Sen. Richard Lugar on Wednesday became one of the first Republicans to back Elena Kagan's confirmation to the Supreme Court.The Indiana Republican said he would vote for Kagan because she is "clearly qualified" and "has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of court history and decisions."
"I believe that she has had a distinguished career in both education and public service and is well-regarded by the legal community and her peers," Lugar said in a statement.
State Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, used his Facebook page to criticize Lugar's decision, calling it disappointing.
"Elena Kagan, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, are all very liberal," Delph said. "None of these individuals is worthy of Hoosier support as they are all out of step with Main Street Indiana."
Delph said that Lugar is supposed to be the dean of the Indiana Republican Party but that his record on judicial nominations is abhorrent to the values the party stands for.
"He needs to be mindful of how people in Indiana view these nominees," Delph said in a phone interview.
Micah Clark, the executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana, said Lugar "has become nothing more than a rubber stamp for this administration when it comes to judges and most nominees."
"Senator Lugar needs to retire and allow new representation in Washington, D.C., just as the junior senator from Indiana is doing," said Clark, whose group describes itself as a defender of the values and institutions that sustain families.
Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., also announced his support for Kagan on Wednesday.
"After carefully reviewing her record, I believe she appreciates the limited role of the federal judiciary and is well-qualified to serve on our nation's highest court," Bayh said in a statement.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted mostly along party lines Tuesday to send her nomination to the full Senate. Neither Lugar nor Bayh serves on the committee.