TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — President Barack Obama has nominated Kansas Supreme Court Justice Nancy Moritz to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The White House announced the Democratic president’s nomination Thursday, and it immediately drew support from Republican U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas. Moran called Moritz “highly qualified” and said he intends to vote for her confirmation.

The 53-year-old Moritz has served on the state’s highest court since 2011, having been appointed by outgoing Democratic Governor Mark Parkinson. She previously spent seven years on the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The Denver-based 10th Circuit court handles cases from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.

Moran and Senator Pat Roberts had opposed Obama’s nomination of former state Attorney General Steve Six to the same appeals court in 2011.

Obama also announced that he’s nominating Kansas City-area attorney Daniel D. Crabtree for a U.S. District Court judgeship in Kansas. Moran also endorsed Crabtree’s nomination.