 In May 2009 , President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to the Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice David Souter . Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate in August 2009 by a vote of 68 – 31 . Sotomayor has supported , while on the court , the informal liberal bloc of justices when they divide along the commonly perceived ideological lines . During her tenure on the Supreme Court , Sotomayor has been identified with concern for the rights of defendants , calls for reform of the criminal justice system , and making impassioned dissents on issues of race , gender and ethnic identity . 
