Former Waltham Cab Driver Passed Over For Supreme Court

WALTHAM, MA — Despite making the short list for nominee, a judge born in Winchester and raised in Waltham where his father owned a taxi company, won't be the country's next Supreme Court justice.

President Donald Trump passed over Judge Thomas Hardiman, reportedly a top contender for the post, opting instead to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh, of the District of Columbia to fill the seat left after Justice Kennedy retires.

"Mr. President, I'm grateful to you and I'm humbled by your confidence in me," said Kavanaugh, who lauded Trump for doing his research. He also talked about the importance of independent judges.

Hardiman,53, currently sits on the federal appeals court in Philadelphia. He was first appointed to serve on the federal district court by George W. Bush in 2003, after several years in private practice in Washington, D.C. and in Pittsburgh. He was also a top pick the last time Trump nominated a Supreme Court candidate to fill Justice Anton Scalia's seat.

Hardiman began his career in 1987 as a taxi driver and dispatcher at Waltham Central Square Taxi, according to a biography submitted during his appeals court confirmation hearing. Described as a devout Catholic, he went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, then Georgetown University.

One person in his corner was reportedly Trump's sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, who serves with Hardiman on the federal appeals court.

On the campaign trail, Trump had said he would nominate a justice in the conservative tradition of Scalia.
Hardiman was reportedly one of four possibilities for the post.

Check out the SCOTUS Blog, which outlined just how Hardiman voted (conservatively).

"He's a good guy and it comes from a good family," Billy Harding who graduated with the Waltham finalist and worked for Hardiman's father's company for more than 20 years, posted to the Patch Facebook page.

Still, it's not a done deal: Any Supreme Court Justice nominee needs a simple majority of 51 votes in Congress in order to be confirmed.

So far, there's already plans in the works to push back no matter who the nominee:

Previously on Patch:

Waltham Native on Short List for Supreme Court Nominee

President Trump Passes Over Mass. Native for Supreme Court

Former Waltham Cab Driver Could Be Next US Supreme Court Justice

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Official Public Portrait of Hardiman by Roy Engelbrecht.

Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).