WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump nominated influential conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Trump chose the 53-year-old federal appellate judge for the seat opened up by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Kavanaugh is Trump's second high court pick after Justice Neil Gorsuch. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch served as law clerks to Kennedy at the same time early in their legal careers.

Kavanaugh is a longtime fixture of the Republican legal establishment. He has been a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington since 2006. He also was a key aide to Kenneth Starr during his investigation of President Bill Clinton and worked in the White House during George W. Bush's presidency.

His wife, Ashley Estes Kavanaugh, is a native of Abilene and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She also served as the personal secretary to President George W. Bush, working in the White House at the same time as Brett Kavanaugh, before they were married.

Attorney General Ken Paxton today released the following statement regarding President Trump’s nomination:

“Brett Kavanaugh is an extraordinarily well-qualified Supreme Court nominee, in the mold of Justice Gorsuch, President Trump’s superb first pick for the high court. Judge Kavanaugh has distinguished himself as one of the nation’s leading constitutional scholars. He has written over 300 opinions, including many widely-cited decisions on federal regulations, statutory interpretation, and separation of powers. Judge Kavanaugh’s many years as an appellate judge demonstrate his firm commitment to following the rule of law and the original understanding of the Constitution. He’ll make an excellent addition to the Supreme Court and leave a lasting legacy on the law.”