Unsuccessful nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are nominated by the President and are then confirmed by the Senate. Presidential administrations are listed with any unsuccessful Supreme Court nominees—that is, individuals who were nominated and who either declined their own nomination, failed the confirmation vote in the Senate, or whose nomination was withdrawn by the president.As of 2010, 151 people have been nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. Twenty-nine nominees (including one nominated for promotion) have been unsuccessful on at least the first try. Of those 29:12 were fully considered and formally rejected by the Senate.7 (including a nomination of an Associate Justice for Chief Justice) were withdrawn by the President before a formal consideration could be taken by the Senate.One of these nominations was withdrawn because of the Ineligibility Clause, but was confirmed after its applicability was no longer an issue.5 had no action taken on them.One of these was because of a change in the Presidency, but the nomination was resubmitted by the incoming President and confirmed.3 had formal votes on the nominations that were postponed.One of these nominations was reconsidered after a change in Senate composition and confirmed.2 had nominations nullified by other circumstances without being formally considered.These 29 people represent more than 29 individual nominations. For example, President John Tyler (1841-1845) lacked political support in the Senate, resulting in all four of his nominees being unsuccessful, including three who were nominated by Tyler on multiple occasions.