George W. Bush has been reaching out to senators ahead of a confirmation vote on Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court nominee, according to a Washington Post report published Thursday.

The report says Bush had called at least some of the senators seen as swing votes in the confirmation: Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, and Lisa Murkowski.

Flake announced on Friday that he would support Kavanaugh.

George W. Bush has been reaching out to senators ahead of a vote on confirming the Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, The Washington Post reported Thursday morning.

According to The Post, in recent days, Bush has contacted at least some of the senators seen as swing votes — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, and Lisa Murkowski — to discuss their votes as Kavanaugh faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Post's report suggests Bush decided to contact the senators because they're less likely to be swayed by President Donald Trump.

The report indicates Bush called the senators before Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers in the 1980s, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Flake announced on Friday that he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh. Shortly after releasing his statement, Flake was confronted by survivors of sexual assault as he headed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Kavanaugh worked for Bush during the 2000 presidential-election recount in Florida. Three years later, Bush nominated Kavanaugh into the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Kavanaugh was Bush's White House staff secretary until 2006, while his confirmation to the court was delayed.

Bush voiced his support for Kavanaugh in July when Trump tapped the judge as his choice for the Supreme Court seat.

"He is a fine husband, father, and friend — and a man of the highest integrity," Bush said of Kavanaugh. "He will make a superb Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

Bush reaffirmed his support of Kavanaugh after Ford's allegation surfaced, saying he and his wife "stand by our comments."

Kavanaugh has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday heard hours of emotional testimony from Ford and Kavanaugh. The Senate is expected to vote on his confirmation on Friday afternoon.