who was the first rejected supreme court nomination
Unsuccessful nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States John Jay resigned as Chief Justice on June 29, 1795, after being elected Governor of New York. The subsequent nomination of John Rutledge as Chief Justice was rejected by a vote of 10â€“14 on December 15, 1795. Rutledge's strident and vocal opposition to the Jay Treaty may have been the main reason for his rejection. Because he had been a recess appointment, Rutledge served as Chief Justice for one term.[3] Washington nominated Associate Justice William Cushing to replace him as Chief Justice, but Cushing declined the role.[1] Washington then successfully appointed Oliver Ellsworth to serve as the next Chief Justice. [1]