Members of Maine’s congressional delegation said Friday that the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor brings to an end a distinguished career that leaves a mark on the nation’s laws.

During O’Connor’s 24 years on the court, she “has been the deciding vote on some of the most contentious issues of our time,” said Sen. Olympia Snowe.

O’Connor has earned respect of her colleagues and the legal community for intellectual ability, evenhandedness and judicial restraint, said Snowe.

“And of course, she was a trailblazer, becoming the first woman ever to serve on our nation’s highest court,” said Snowe, who called O’Connor “an inspiration to millions of Americans.”

Fellow Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she was personally inspired by O’Connor’s career.

Collins called O’Connor “a brilliant justice who has always brought integrity and common sense to her role on the bench.”

Democratic Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine’s northern congressional district said O’Connor was a voice of reason and moderation who “exhibited an open mind and rose above simple labels like liberal or conservative, fitting the independent, moderate mold that we Mainers admire.”

Michaud urged President Bush to consult with senators from both parties when considering nominees for the next associate justice.

Offering his advice, Democratic Rep. Tom Allen said the nation “will be best served by a nomination that does not divide the nation.”

“If the president places extreme ideology over unbiased jurisprudence, he will deepen the mistrust and conflict that today weaken our ability to work together,” warned Allen, who represents the state’s southern district.

The Maine Women’s Lobby’s executive director, Sarah Standiford, described O’Connor as an independent voice on the court and called on Bush to select a nominee “in the time-honored tradition of consultation and compromise.”

Echoing that sentiment, Family Planning Association of Maine President George Hill said, “We respect and appreciate [O’Connor’s] role in protecting women’s safety and health” as a swing vote in cases involving abortion.

The retiring justice earned praise from the Sierra Club’s northeastern regional representative, who said the environmental organization is grateful for O’Connor’s “historic service” on the bench.

“Never before have the courts played such an important role in protecting our clean air, drinking water and special places,” Sierra’s Maureen Drouin said. “And when it comes to appointing a new justice of the Supreme Court, the stakes for the country could not be higher.”

The Political Action Committee MoveOn announced Friday the release of a television ad that will air in Maine, Nebraska, South Carolina and Virginia beginning next week. The ads target potential swing votes by senators in those states in hopes of preventing the president from selecting an extremist judge to replace O’Connor.

“Our message to Senators Snowe and Collins when they consider the president’s nominee is ‘Protect Our Rights,'” said Ben Brandzel, advocacy director for MoveOn PAC.