WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor picked up her first Republican Senate supporter Friday, as Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar said she was "clearly qualified to serve."

Sotomayor on Thursday concluded four days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee , and none of the seven GOP members of that panel have said how they will vote. The 55-year-old federal appellate judge is seeking to become the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court .

She is expected to win other GOP votes. Sen. Lindsey Graham , R- S.C. , a committee member, has appeared to be leaning in her direction, while others offered praise.

Graham told Sotomayor on Thursday that "I think and believe, based on what I know about you so far, that you're broad-minded enough to understand America is bigger than the Bronx , it's bigger than South Carolina ."

But he's still weighing his decision, saying, in regard to some of her speeches, that she has been "consistently ... left of center," adding, "You have said some things that just bugged the hell out of me."

Lugar, who is not a committee member, Friday issued a statement saying he has "carefully reviewed her public service record, and reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents and colleagues here in the Senate ."

After that review, said the veteran senator, long considered one of the Senate's most thoughtful members, said he found "Judge Sotomayor is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and she has demonstrated a judicial temperament during her week-long nomination hearing."

He praised her "distinguished career of public service. She is well regarded in the legal community and by her peers."

As a result, Lugar said, "I will vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States ."

Republicans realize that Sotomayor is likely to easily win confirmation. Democrats control 12 of 19 Judiciary Committee seats and 60 Senate seats.

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama , the committee's top Republican, said he will not try to delay the final vote. The committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday morning and could take its vote then.

Republicans, though, can delay the committee action a week to review the record further and are expected to do so.

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Sen. Lugar's statement

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