Hagan - and Helms - support Sotomayor

North Carolina's Democratic senator Kay Hagan voted for Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation today to the U.S. Supreme Court. But in an acknowledgment of conservative leanings in the state, Hagan's statement pointed out an interesting past Sotomayor supporter - former Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, who died last year. Said Hagan:

“With 17 years on the federal bench, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has more federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in 100 years. Judge Sotomayor said in her confirmation hearing that her underlying judicial philosophy is ‘fidelity to the law.’ She has an established record as a moderate judge whose decisions show a respect for precedent.

“In 1998, Sen. Jesse Helms voted for her confirmation to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Based on her record and testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, I was proud to support her historic confirmation to the United States Supreme Court.”