Less than a day after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court on Wednesday, betting odds are already out on who will be his replacement.
Kennedy, 81, has often been considered the swing vote on the Supreme Court, and his replacement could alter the political landscape.
“This is one of the biggest decisions of the Trump Presidency and will shape the future of America for some years to come,” said Will Byrne, the communications manager for Sportsbet.com.au., according to The Washington Examiner. “That’s reflected in the betting market where the race is considered extremely close between quite a few potential candidates.”
President Donald Trump confirmed that he will select a replacement justice from a previously released list of 25 candidates. (RELATED: Kennedy Calls It Quits: Longtime Swing Justice Hands Trump The Biggest Gift Of His Presidency)
Sportsbet.com.au, a gambling site based out of Australia, has released its odds, placing Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the most likely pick at 2.5:1. Kavanaugh is a former law clerk for Kennedy and currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
U.S. Judges Amul Thapar and Amy Coney Barrett are the next most heavily favored choices, with odds of 3.6:1 and 4.0:1, respectively.
The top 10 list is as follows:
- Brett Kavanaugh (2.5:1)
- Amul Thapar (3.6:1)
- Amy Coney Barrett (4.0:1)
- Raymond Kethledge (5.0:1)
- Kevin Newsom (6.0:1)
- Patrick Wyrick (8.0:1)
- Britt Grant (8.0:1)
- Thomas Hardiman (9.5:1)
- Mike Lee (9.5:1)
- William Pryor (10.0:1)
With two justices 80 years or older by the start of the next term, it’s likely Trump will have the opportunity for another nomination in the future.
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