The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) said Canady was one of the House of Representative officials who oversaw the impeachment proceedings against former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Crist said after appointing Canady to the state's top court Thursday that he was confident the former congressman would do well in his new role.

"I have tremendous confidence in him," the governor said, calling Canady a "faithful servant in the truest sense of the word."

Christian Coalition of Florida President Dennis Baxley told the Times he, too, supports the appointment of Canady to the Florida Supreme Court thanks to the politician's conservative stances.

"It gives me more confidence moving forward, rather than more alarm," Baxley said.