Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat whose centrist streak has stymied his party’s agenda, has announced that he will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

Manchin’s stamp of approval all but assures Jackson’s elevation to the seat being vacated by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.

In a statement, Manchin wrote “Judge Jackson’s record and career are exemplary … Her wide array of experiences in varying sectors of our judicial system have provided Judge Jackson a unique perspective that will serve her well on our nation’s highest court.”

He added that she has the “temperament to make an exceptional jurist.”

Manchin also touted Jackson’s West Virginia connections, writing “Notably, Judge Jackson and her family spend a great deal of time in West Virginia and her deep love of our state and commitment to public service were abundantly clear.”

He said that Jackson was “warm and gracious” during a meeting he had with her.

POLITICO provides context:

Manchin’s position isn’t entirely a surprise. While he’s used his leverage in a 50-50 Senate to derail Neera Tanden’s nomination to the Office of Management and Budget and Sarah Bloom Raskin’s nomination to the Fed, Democrats expected he would support Jackson to the high court. Manchin voted for her nomination last year to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and has backed every Biden judicial nominee.