Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released a list of potential Supreme Court justices he would recommend as president, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

The list had a total of 16 names, also including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).

Vivek Ramaswamy Unveils List Of Potential Supreme Court Picks — Including Ted Cruz, Mike Lee@DailyCaller https://t.co/FtavpvRCnN

— Katelynn Richardson (@katesrichardson) July 17, 2023

Ramaswamy's statement

“Our courts are the last line of defense against an increasingly hostile federal government that seeks to curtail our freedoms,” Ramaswamy said in a statement.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever that we elect a President who will appoint judges and justices to the federal bench to safeguard the values and ideals our nation was founded on," he added.

'An Unwavering Commitment' To The Constitution: Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Supreme Court List That Includes Sens. Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, And Morehttps://t.co/9ECAJyeTi7

— DC Enquirer (@DcEnquirer) July 17, 2023

Increased transparency

"Ramaswamy said he was releasing the list to show the voters transparency," the DC Enquirer reported.

"It's important, when you're asking voters to select the next president of the United States, that you be as transparent as you can about what you're going to do," he said.

Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Potential Supreme Court Picks, Including Ted Cruz and Mike Lee https://t.co/X5RfuKZ1E7 pic.twitter.com/S7DXCYLr2g

— Stop Abortion Now (@LifeNewsToo) July 17, 2023

Focused on the Constitution

“What each of the individuals I would appoint share is their unwavering dedication to the principles of originalism and commitment to a constitutionalist judicial philosophy,” Ramaswamy said Monday.

“Our courts are the last line of defense against an administrative state that rules by fiat, legislates from the bench, stifling freedom and truth.”

Many noted that the list included pro-life justices, such as Judge Lawrence Van Dyke of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; Judge Lisa Branch of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals; Paul D. Clement, a solicitor general under former President George W. Bush.

The transparency has been a bonus for the GOP hopeful's campaign. Ramaswamy has continued to climb in recent polls, reaching as high as third behind former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The most recent move will also challenge other GOP candidates to be more open about their potential White House leadership, including a focus on Supreme Court justices, a role that played a key part in Trump's four years that included nominating three new justices to the nation's highest court.