Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., praised federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh after his nomination Monday evening to the Supreme Court as someone with "impeccable credentials" and who is a "fair, mainstream judge."

“In selecting Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy left by Justice Kennedy, President Trump has chosen a nominee with impeccable credentials and a strong record of upholding the Constitution," McCain said in a statement.

"Over the course of Judge Kavanaugh's impressive legal career, he has built a reputation as a fair, independent, and mainstream judge who has earned widespread respect from his peers," McCain continued. "One of the Senate's highest constitutional responsibilities is to provide advice and consent on nominations to the Supreme Court, and I look forward to the Senate fulfilling this critical duty through a fair and thorough confirmation process,"

[WATCH: Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh answers Chuck Schumer on Roe v. Wade at his 2006 confirmation hearing]

The Arizona senator has stayed back in his home state since December as he battles brain cancer nearly a year after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma.

After President Trump announced his nomination at the White House on Monday, Kavanaugh was praised by several Republican figures, including former President George W. Bush, who called Kavanaugh an "outstanding" selection.

If confirmed, Kavanaugh will replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.

With McCain back in Arizona, Republicans have only 50 members in Washington to likely vote on Kavanaugh's nomination and will need all of them for confirmation if Democrats unanimously oppose him.