This past month, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered several major decisions on pressing issues such as abortion rights, gun control, corruption by politicians and immigration that would have far-reaching effects. In other significant actions, the court made an unusual attempt to forge a settlement between the two sides to a case, and upheld a university’s right to use an assortment of criteria including race to determine student admissions.

The eight-member court also belied concerns that many cases would end in a 4-4 tie. That was thanks in large part to Justice Anthony Kennedy providing his “swing vote” to reach a decision, even if the case went against his personal beliefs. All that underscored the need to find a successor soon to Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away in February. It also focused attention on the next U.S.…