6-2 SUPERVISORS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JAMES A. BORLAND FRANK J. ROGERS STANLEY I. GOLDSMITH BOB GOOD ALTAVISTA (434) 592-9525 EDDIE GUNTER, JR. BROOKNEAL (434) 283-9525 J.D. PUCKETT LYNCHBURG (434) 592-9525

MIKE P. ROUSSEAU RUSTBURG (434) 332-9525

ERIC R. ZEHR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FAX NO. (434) 332-9617 POST OFFICE BOX 100, RUSTBURG, VIRGINIA 24588 www.campbellcountyva.gov

March 2, 2016

Senator Mark Warner 475 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

Senator Tim Kaine 231 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

Re: Supreme Court Nomination

Dear Senators Warner and Kaine:

As you are undoubtedly aware, the recent passing of Justice Antonin Scalia has created a vacancy on the Supreme Court, and generated considerable angst at both ends of the ideological spectrum. Liberals have correctly noted that President Obama is constitutionally within his rights to nominate a replacement, regardless of his minimal time left in office. Conservatives counter, also correctly, that Presidential nominations to the Supreme Court are subject to the consent of the Senate.

Since his appointment by President Reagan in 1986, Justice Scalia served our nation through his steadfast adherence to constitutional principles. In contrast, President Obama has demonstrated a pattern and practice of contempt for the Constitution and its limits on executive power. The Supreme Court has made this clear in over a dozen decisions handed down during his 2 terms of office.

The Campbell County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the citizens we represent, would like to see Justice Scalia replaced with a jurist who shares his judicial philosophy. Unfortunately, the President’s prior appointments to the Court, as well as his own ideology, do not inspire within us any confidence in his ability to make such an appointment.

We write therefore, to encourage you, in your capacity as a representative of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Senate, to stand with Republican members of the Senate who have

RESPECTING THE PAST, ATTENDING THE PRESENT, CONCENTRATING ON THE FUTURE

6-32 suggested that the vacancy not be filled until the next President has taken office. In the event that a nomination should be reported out of committee, we encourage you to oppose that nomination.

Very truly yours,

Supervisor Eric R. Zehr Chairman of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors

RESPECTING THE PAST, ATTENDING THE PRESENT, CONCENTRATING ON THE FUTURE