Over the past few decades, most US Supreme Court nominees have been chosen from among the judges serving on the US Courts of Appeals Circuit Courts. This is no accident, as the Circuit Court appointment often indicates the candidate is being groomed for a future vacancy on the Court.
One of the benefits of appellate court experience includes having an opportunity to develop a record of jurisprudence (or a pattern of decision-making) prior to nomination. This makes the nominee less of a wild card for both President and Senate, who, in the past, have been surprised to learn some justices' ideologies after they joined bench.
Prior to the mid-20th century, Supreme Court justices were equally likely to have been lawyers, or to have served in another political capacity, and had little or no prior judicial experience.
For more information, see Related Questions, below.
They are chosen soon after the presidential nominee has been chosen.
They are chosen by election to serve a term of 7 years before reelection.
They are chosen soon after the presidential nominee has been chosen.
Primary
----party nominee (novanet)----
The nominee himself (herself) once sure of the party ticket. If after the party has chosen he/she will need party approval.
When nominating a Supreme Court justice, the president reviews potential candidates and selects an individual who they believe is qualified and aligned with their own judicial philosophy. The president then officially announces the nominee, who must undergo a confirmation process by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate before they can take the position. The president's role is to make the nomination and advocate for their chosen candidate, while the Senate ultimately decides whether to confirm the nominee.
US Supreme Court justices are chosen (nominated) by the President and approved by a simple majority vote of the Senate.
The vice presidential candidate is chosen by the party's presidential nominee. The presidential nominee will often pick a vice presidential candidate by choosing someone who complements them and whose strengths cover the nominee's weakness. For example, Obama, a relatively young and inexperienced candidate, chose Joe Biden, an older, experienced politician.
Party Nominee - Gov NovaNet
Supreme Court justices are often chosen on the basis of their qualifications. However, since being a judge is a political position, justices can also be chosen based on their political viewpoints.
A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation.