Election battle over U.S. Supreme Court

President Donald Trump has angered Democrats by seeking to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the election – a move which could cement the Court’s conservative majority for years to come


Trump has already appointed two justices: Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018

Ideological balance of nine members is crucial to rulings on key issues of U.S. law

LIBERAL LEANING

Stephen Breyer, 82
Sonia Sotomayor, 66
Elena Kagan, 60

CONSERVATIVE LEANING

Brett Kavanaugh, 55
Neil Gorsuch, 53 
Samuel Alito, 70 
Clarence Thomas, 72
John Roberts, 65 
Chief Justice


TOP CONTENDERS TO REPLACE JUSTICE GINSBURG

Amy Coney Barrett, 48
Member of Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Favourite among religious conservatives due to staunch opposition to abortion. She has also voted in favour of Trump’s hardline immigration policies
 
Barbara Lagoa, 52
Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Would suit President Trump because of Cuban-American heritage and ties to Florida – crucial state in November’s vote

 
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court, Reuters 
Pictures: Getty Images, AP, Rachel Malehorn 
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