By Bart Jansen, CQ Staff

Connecticut Sen. Christopher J. Dodd and Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor have something in common: A discrimination case that poses a political challenge.

The case involves a reverse-discrimination claim by white New Haven, Conn. firefighters, whose endorsements are often fiercely sought by political candidates.

Sotomayor was one of three 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges who upheld a trial court’s rejection of the discrimination claims in 2008. The Supreme Court is now considering the case, Ricci v. DeStefano.

It is one of Sotomayor’s cases that is likely to draw extensive questions as the Senate considers her nomination next month. Already, it’s become a possible political problem for Dodd.

Dodd, a Democrat, suffers low approval ratings heading into his 2010 re-election bid, dogged by questions about his ties to the financial-services industry as a result of his chairmanship of the powerful Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

He faces a primary challenge from Merrick Alpert, a former aide to Vice President Al Gore. And Dodd trailed former GOP Rep. Rob Simmons 45 percent to 39 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll released May 27.

Not long after President Obama announced Sotomayor’s nomination, Dodd praised her as “a highly qualified and gifted nominee.” He said she would bring “extensive legal experience and a unique perspective to the Supreme Court.”

Simmons said Sotomayor has an “impressive resume and an inspiring story.” But he said he is “especially looking forward to hearing Sen. Dodd ask her to explain” her decision involving the firefighters and her comments about the judicial branch “crafting policy.”

Dodd does not serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Sotomayor will be questioned in public hearings.