Sandra Day O’Connor

President Reagan has broken precedent with every administration before him in announcing as his choice to succeed Justice Stewart Potter. Sandra Day O’Connor, who, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the first woman justice on the US Supreme Court. That the President has chosen as his nominee the first woman majority leader in a state legislature – and that the state is one where women were represented early on at high levels of elected and appointed office – is historically fitting. Most importantly, in nominating Sandra O’Connor, President Reagan has selected a candidate possessing every credential he has indicated was necessary to serve on the highest court of the land . I have known and respected Mrs. O’Connor for many years since I was Administrative Assistant to the Governor of Arizona, and she was Assistant Attorney General and assigned to represent the Governor ‘s office . In the mid-1970’s I had the opportunity once again to work closely with Sandra O’Con nor when she was majority leader in the State Senate. As Pima County Attorney, I had frequent occasion to visit the State Capitol during the creation of the Arizona Drug Con tr ol District. Sandra O’Connor was thorough and conservative in the Arizona State Senate – and she knew how to make it work. Because of her outstanding qualifications, I recommended her to the press before her name was mentioned publicly as a potential nominee. In announcing his decision – President Reagan characterized Mrs. O’Connor as a “person