going to nominate. whoever he nominates will be an historic place. >> the person i will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity, and that person will be the first black woman ever nominated to the united states supreme court. >> at least eight women are believed to be on the president's short list of potential candidates. he's expected to begin reaching out to them as soon as next week. cnn's caitlyn collins has more from the white house. >> reporter: it is official that president biden now has a vacancy to fill on the supreme court after justice bryar hand delivered a letter to president biden at the white house on thursday. he does intend to retire at the end of this term. after the brief ceremony with biden and bryar, all questions have tournd who is president biden going to pick. he has committed to stand by the