GOP senator 1st to say Obama should offer Scalia replacement

Nevada Sen. Dean Heller has become the first Republican senator to break with his party's leader and say President Barack Obama should nominate a replacement for the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.

Heller said Wednesday that Nevadans "should have a voice" in selecting a new justice.

Just hours after Scalia's death Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Obama should not name a nominee and leave that for whoever is elected president in November. Numerous GOP senators have backed McConnell on that, though some have not ruled out hearings and a vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Heller said he doesn't expect an Obama nominee to be approved by the GOP-run Senate.

Politically, Nevada is a closely divided state. Heller has at times taken moderate stances on issues.

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