US President Joe Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, calling her “one of the nation’s brightest legal minds”.

She will be the first black woman to serve in the court’s 233-year history if confirmed.

She would replace liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires at the end of the court’s term in June.

Announcing the nomination on Friday, President Biden described Judge Jackson as an “extraordinary” candidate, with an “independent mind, uncompromising integrity and a strong moral compass”.

With the Senate divided 50-50 between the parties, Democrats have just enough votes to confirm President Biden’s choice if they all back her.

Justice Breyer’s replacement would not shift the court’s current 6-3 conservative majority.

For any Supreme Court justice nomination, the president first chooses his preferred candidate and the Senate then votes to confirm that nominee, which requires a simple majority.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Judiciary Committee will begin hearings “in the coming weeks”.

Ms Jackson, 51, currently serves on the influential US Court of Appeals for the DC circuit. Three current supreme court justices previously served on that court.

The jurist has two degrees from Harvard University, which she attended as an undergraduate and as a law student, and once served as editor of the Harvard Law Review.