J. Harvie Wilkinson
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J. Harvie Wilkinson, 61, was appointed to the 4th Circuit by President Reagan in 1984. From 1978-1982, he was the editorial page editor of the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, and from 1973-1978, he was a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received his own law degree before moving on to a clerkship for Justice Lewis F. Powell. Before his appointment he was the No. 2 official in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Office from 1982-1983.
Key Decisions and Writings:
Wilkinson has a long paper trail, with his many legal opinions, along with books, speeches and journal articles. He is viewed as a more moderate conservative. He wrote a 2003 Virginia Law Review article titled "Why Conservative Jurisprudence is Compassionate."
His rulings have included a 1987 opinion striking down a minority set-aside program for city contractors in Richmond and a 1996 opinion upholding the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexual service members.
Wilkinson opposes abortion and is considered someone who may be palatable to Democrats in the Senate because of his more moderate views on other political issues, such as environmental policy. He voted to uphold a state law allowing parents to know when their teenage daughters were considering an abortion.
Profiles:
Washington Post profile
Slate profile
New York Times profile
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