When presidential adviser Karl Rove called U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham this week and asked for recommendations for the U.S. Supreme Court, Graham had a quick answer — Greenville’s William W. Wilkins.

“He is a strong jurist. He is a solid conservative. He is very confirmable,” said the Seneca Republican.

Wilkins, 63, is chief judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond — one step below the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I am flattered that Senator Graham would recommend me to the president,” Wilkins said.

The conservative-minded Fourth Circuit is a likely hunting ground for Bush as he seeks a successor for retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.Graham sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would get first shot at the nomination.Graham’s predecessor, the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., twice forwarded Wilkins’ name to the White House to fill past vacancies — in 1987, when President Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy, and in 1990, when President George H.W. Bush nominated David Souter.

Graham said one possible obstacle to a nomination is Wilkins’ age. President Bush might prefer a younger nominee who could serve longer on the court.

Graham was mentioned as a possible nominee himself last week by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.Wilkins was a U.S. District Court judge from 1981 to 1986 before President Reagan nominated him for the 4th Circuit seat.

His brother, David Wilkins, resigned last month as speaker of the S.C. House to become U.S. ambassador to Canada.