John Paul Stevens, the Supreme Court’s longest currently serving justice, is weighing his retirement after 35 years on the bench, and says he’ll make a decision soon.
In an interview at his home in Florida, Stevens, who will turn 90 this month, told the Washington Post he’ll “surely” leave the high court while President Obama is in office, in order to give the president, whom he calls “very competent,” a chance to nominate a replacement.
Stevens, who grew up in Chicago, was nominated for the court in 1975 by President Gerald Ford and was confirmed unanimously by the Senate.
Obama served as a US senator from Illinois before winning the presidency.
Although Stevens was appointed by a Republican president, he’s now considered the leader of the liberal wing of the court.
If Stevens steps down, Obama will get his second chance in one term to make a high-court pick.
Last year, the president nominated Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor, whom the Senate confirmed by 68-31.