Chief justice discusses campaign reform in State of Courts speech

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Now that the fight for the White House is done for another four years and various political leaders are finished with their acceptance or concession speeches, maybe discussions of campaign reform will be heard again.

Especially since spring elections, which include a number of judicial positions, are less than 6 months away.

During her State of the Judiciary Address on Nov. 12, Wisconsin Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson stressed the importance for state judges to reaffirm public confidence in an independent judiciary.

“Threats to our independent, non-partisan judiciary must not and will not be tolerated in this state. Wisconsin judges have both an institutional and personal interest in the election of judges and the tenor of campaigns. We must ensure that judicial campaigns are worthy of the electorate.”

Abrahamson, who is up for re-election in 2009, also touched on a 2007 letter to the state Legislature signed and sent by all seven justices at the time, which indicated their support of “realistic, meaningful public financing for Supreme Court elections to facilitate and protect the judicial function.”

She also cited a recent survey of members of the state judiciary which revealed that many lawyers, judges and court staff are in favor of full state funding of judicial campaigns.

“The people of our state must be assured that our courts work for them and them alone.

We do not work for special interests, associations, advocacy groups or political parties of any kind, pro- or anti-anything. We work for the 5.6 million people who call this great state home. They are the “all” in “Justice for All.”

While nobody has formally announced plans to challenge Abrahamson, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy R. Koschnick has reportedly expressed interest in running.

Reform measures are also being addressed by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board which recently voted unanimously to develop a rule which would force interest groups that run issue ads prior to an election register with the state and disclose expenditures.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/34286444.html