Indiana leaders split down the aisle about appointing a new Supreme Court Justice

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana leaders are fairly split on opinion when it comes to the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Indiana Congresswoman Jackie Walorski joined her fellow republicans on Wednesday to urge the Senate to keep the nomination of Judge Barrett going.

Walorski has said that she can’t think of anyone else better qualified than Judge Barrett.

The Congresswoman is accusing democrats of targeting Barrett’s religious beliefs.

"I call on my senate democratic collegues today to stop the partisan games and treat this confirmation process serious like the country expects," said Walorski.

She also praised the Judge’s record as a Notre Dame law professor and appellate court judge in Chicago.

Walorski’s opponent in the second congressional district has a much different view, however, saying Judge Barrett’s nomination should be held off until after a president is elected.

"This is a real dereliction of duty on the part of the Senate and to the extent Jackie Walorski is pushing this, I would say it’s a dereliction of duty by Jackie Walorski," said Pat Hacket, Indiana District 2 Candidate.

Hackett is an attorney and adjunct professor at Notre Dame Law School, but also a practicing Catholic like Judge Barrett.

She says her objection to the nomination is about Judge Barrett’s public opposition to Obamacare.

"They could find the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional taking away healthcare from persons with pre-existing conditions in the context of a pandemic. I have a big problem with that extreme jurisprudence and Jackie Walorski supports the lawsuit to take away healthcare for millions of Americans,” said Hackett.

Hackett has also called this push by the Republicans hypocritical after the GOP refused to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee during an election year back in 2016.