Facing Criticism, John Lewis Issues Statement Against Obama Judicial Nominee

In a written statement, Lewis said Boggs’ record “is in direct opposition to everything I have stood for during my career.”

The Senate ultimately confirms judicial nominees, but Lewis added if he had the chance, he’d vote against Boggs.

“I did not at any time indicate my support for the Boggs nomination or say that he had the backing of the African American community in Georgia,” said Lewis.

The statement comes after an influential member of the Senate judiciary committee suggested on Sunday Lewis was okay including Boggs in a larger package deal of judicial nominees.

Scott subsequently took to Twitter saying if that was true, Lewis was a “turncoat who has betrayed African Americans, women and gays.”

After Lewis issued his statement Monday, Scott said he didn’t regret using strong language in reference to the civil rights hero. 

“[Lewis] has a legacy and that legacy was very near to being shattered so I’m very pleased he moved to correct the situation. Now we’re all united and we’re all on the same page,” said Scott. 

Last summer, the White House and Georgia’s two Republican U.S. Senators agreed on a list of six nominees to fill long-running judicial vacancies across the state.

Georgia Democrats immediately slammed the list, in particular Boggs’ nomination. Prior to his tenure as a judge, Boggs served as a state legislator, voting in favor of Georgia’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, keeping the Confederate emblem on the state flag, and creating a publicly available online database of doctors who perform abortions and how many procedures they perform.

The Congressional Black Caucus opposed Boggs, but according to Scott, Lewis had been noticeably silent and there was speculation that Lewis was “quietly advocating” for the package deal.

“John had inadvertently put himself in a posture by being silent, by not answering these people and people were using him. The White House was using him,” said Scott. “Sometimes you have to be able to prick the conscious a bit. John had to move. We had to move him to make sure the record was clear.”

The White House did not return a request for comment and Lewis’ office wouldn’t expand on the written statement.

The Senate judiciary committee is likely to vote on Boggs in the coming weeks. If Boggs clears the committee, he still must be approved by the full Senate.