Hagan seeks another woman on court

Sen. Kay Hagan thinks the Supreme Court might need another woman.

The Greensboro Democrat told Dome this morning that she hopes President Obama will increase the diversity of the court when he replaces retiring Justice David Souter.

Currently, only one of the nine justices is a woman, and only two have ever served on the nation's highest court.

But Hagan said that was not the only qualification we would consider. 

"I'm looking for somebody who  will uphold the Constitution and is highly qualified," she said. "Diversity is an issue. ... Right now there's only one woman on the court."

She also hoped the nomination would not be contentious.

"I'm hoping the nomination process goes smoothly," she said. 

Previously: Sen. Richard Burr seeks qualified, non-activist judge.

Burr: Qualified, non-activist judge

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is waiting to see who President Obama recommends.

The Winston-Salem Republican gave a brief description of his ideal Supreme Court candidate in a statement to Dome today.

"I look forward to working with President Obama to find a highly-qualified nominee who respects the Constitution and does not believe in legislating from the bench," he said.

Burr voted for Chief Justice John Roberts in 2005 and Samuel Alito in 2006. He gave a neutral statement on Harriet Miers' failed nomination, saying he would "carefully review" her qualifications.

He also thanked retiring Justice David Souter for his "years of service to our country."

Full statement after the jump.

Four Supreme picks with N.C. ties

At least four potential picks for Supreme Court have Tar Heel ties.

Although President Obama has not compiled a short list for the replacement for retiring Justice David Souter, that hasn't stopped observers from speculating.

Here are four who have some ties to North Carolina: 

* Patricia Timmons-Goodson. N.C. Ties: Earned bachelor's and law degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. Qualification: Justice on the N.C. Supreme Court since 2006, former prosecutor and Distirct Court judge. Mentioned by: ScotusBlog.

* Teresa Wynn Roseborough. N.C. Ties: Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill law school in 1986, edited the N.C. Law Review. Qualification: Former deputy assistant attorney general under President Clinton. Mentioned by: Huffington Post

* Johnnie B. Rawlinson. N.C. Ties: Earned bachelor's at N.C. A&T State University. Qualification: Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit since 2000. Mentioned by: Associated Press.

* Virginia Seitz. N.C. Ties: Earned bachelor's degree from Duke University. Qualification: Has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mentioned by: Legal Times

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