GOP Gov. Sandoval withdraws name from Supreme Court consideration

by Rebecca Savransky - 02/25/16 1:35 PM ET

Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has removed himself from consideration as a Supreme Court justice nominee, according to Silver State journalist Jon Ralston.

Breaking: Sandoval takes himself out of consideration for SCOTUS.

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 25, 2016

Sandoval said earlier Thursday that he was contacted by the White House but does not “wish to be considered this time” for the nomination.

“I have also spoken to Senators Reid, Heller and McConnell and expressed the same desire to them. The notion of being considered for a seat on the highest court in the land is beyond humbling and I am incredibly grateful to have been mentioned,” the statement said.

I gather Sandoval realized he was was a pawn and wanted no part of it. He wants a judicial or Cabinet post someday. pic.twitter.com/e5ySKReaut

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 25, 2016

It leaked Wednesday that President Obama was vetting the Republican governor as a possible nominee.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest refused to say Thursday whether Sandoval was being seriously considered to fill the vacancy.

“Even after the fact, I am not going to get into a lot of details about who is on the president’s list and who is not,” he told reporters.

Obama plans to announce a nominee in the coming weeks.

After the news broke, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) released the following statement:

“As a friend and former colleague of Governor Sandoval’s, I believe he is eminently qualified for this position. But, I support his decision to withdraw his name from consideration for the Supreme Court vacancy. I hope the next President will consider him in the future.”

Tags Brian Sandoval Dean Heller Supreme Court of the United States