Sen. Sam Brownback became at least the third Republican to announce he will vote against Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court.

"Judge Sotomayor has indicated through past rulings and in her writings that she believes the judiciary should take an activist role and make laws, instead of upholding the law," he said in a speech Wednesday on the Senate floor. "As Chief Justice [John G.] Roberts said, a justice should be an impartial umpire, not a player in the game. I am afraid Judge Sotomayor wants to be more of a player than an umpire."

Brownback, who is not running for a third term and is preparing to run for governor back home in Kansas, was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee until this year.

The White House has released an endorsement letter for Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court candidacy, signed by 45 of her former clerks.

"As former law clerks to Judge Sotomayor, each of us can attest to her intellectual prowess, extraordinary work ethic, and commitment to the rule of law," the former clerks wrote. They sent their letter to Senate leaders and to all 20 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sotomayor, a 2nd Circuit appeals court judge and former federal district judge, is scheduled to begin making courtesy calls to those lawmakers tomorrow.

"Judge Sotomayor is an extraordinary judge and an extraordinary woman," the former clerks wrote. "Her combination of intellect, integrity, and vast experience will make her an outstanding Supreme Court justice."