Alan Greenblatt is a GOVERNING correspondent.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
Limits on Judicial Contributions
The issue of big-spending judicial races has become important enough to get the attention of John Grisham -- and Alabama state Rep. Chris England, who is introducing legislation to cap donations to candidates for the bench, the Tuscaloosa News reports:
"The perception is that money buys justice," England, D-Tuscaloosa, said Friday.
England introduced a bill to limit contributions in judicial races to $500 per race or $1,500 if there is a primary, a runoff, and then the general election. He pointed to the cost of the 2006 appellate court races as a reason.
Two years ago, 15 candidates spent $13.4 million, making the races in Alabama the most expensive in the nation. The second most expensive races were in Texas, where $3.5 million was spent.
His bill is scheduled for a committee hearing on March 5.
(The photograph shows John England Jr., Rep. England's father, who is a circuit court judge and former Alabama Supreme Court justice.)
GOVERNING Politics is the place for news and analysis on campaigns and elections. If there's a ballot measure in California, a legislative election in Alabama, a mayoral election in Anchorage or a governor's race in Rhode Island, GOVERNING Politics probably is writing about it. We love everything about state and local politics, from polls and campaign ads to policy debates and demographic trends.
Latest From Politics
- Eric Garcetti Faces Major Challenges as Next Mayor of Los Angeles
- How Weak is the Republican Party in the Most Democratic States?
- Looking Back at Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy
- Are States Deepening the Nation's Red-Blue Divide?
- How Successful Are Lieutenant Governors Seeking the Governorship?
Categories
- Ballot Measures
- Economic & Fiscal Issues
- Election Results
- Governors
- Legislatures
- Local Offices
- Mayors
- Media and Advertising
- National Politics
- Parties & Interest Groups
- Political Map
- Polls
- Redistricting & Reapportionment
- Social Issues
- State Offices
- Voting Process & Voting Rules
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |