After Thursday’s historic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in which Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified about allegations of sexual assault made by Ford, Senator Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) released a measured statement that stands in stark contrast to the circus atmosphere of the confirmation process.

“I know this was a difficult day for Dr. Ford, Judge Kavanaugh, and their families. I appreciate Chairman Grassley giving both sides a fair chance to be heard.  I watched the hearing today.  I thought that Dr. Ford was credible, but I thought that Judge Kavanaugh came on very strong and was also very credible,” Shelby said.

Yellowhammer News has requested a comment from the office of Senator Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook). Jones was not present in a meeting of undecided, moderate senators following the hearing.

This tracks with the information reported Wednesday by Yellowhammer News that Jones, despite his public claims of being undecided and open minded, is “firmly in the ‘no’ column” on Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn