,,,The New Politics of Judicial Elections - 2004

The New Politics of Judicial Elections - 2004


 

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Brennan Center for Justice

Author(s): Deborah Goldberg; Sarah Samis; Edwin Bender; Rachel Weiss

Research Area: Justice; Politics

Keywords: Judicial Advertising; Fair Courts; Democracy

Type: Report

Abstract:

The first two editions of “The New Politics of Judicial Elections” documented a rising tide of television advertising, big money and special interest pressure in state Supreme Court elections across America. As feared, 2000 proved to be an ominous turning point, as special interests began to exert significant influence in key Supreme Court elections. In our third and most complete edition yet, we show how 2004 marks a “tipping point.” A perfect storm of hardball TV ads, millions in campaign contributions and bare-knuckled special interest politics is descending on a growing number of Supreme Court campaigns. The stakes involve nothing less than the fairness, impartiality and independence of courts in the 38 states that elect their high court judges