Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Florida retention election opposition heats up
From Ballotpedia
Oct. 12, 2012
Florida: The effort to stop the retention of Florida Supreme Court Justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince has ramped up. So far, three major conservative groups have teamed up to stop the retentions, citing "judicial activism" by the justices in various rulings. No judge has ever lost retention in Florida, but the following groups are hoping to make history:
- Restore Justice 2012: This Tea Party-related grass-roots campaign started in 2010. It led the charge against the three justices' retentions this year.
- The Florida Republican Party: The GOP fully immersed itself in the controversy after the party's executive committee unanimously voted to oppose the three justices. This is the first time a Florida political party has taken a position in a retention race, which are usually uncontroversial affairs.
- Americans for Prosperity: Called a "super PAC" (political action committee), Americans for Prosperity is financed by the billionaire Koch brothers and has focused on TV advertisements against the justices.[1][2]
Arguments against retention:
| “ | The Florida Supreme Court removed the [healthcare] amendment from the ballot, denying us a voice and a vote on a historically important issue...Shouldn’t our courts be above politics and protect our rights to choose?[1] -Television ad by Americans for Prosperity[3] |
” |
| “ | The court invented a way to give a confessed murderer the second chance at life this brutalized woman never had. Pariente, Quince and Lewis should not defend this decision. They should apologize for it.”[4] -Jesse Phillips, president of Restore Justice 2012, on the Supreme Court's Death Penalty Decision[3] |
” |
| “ | These judges at times have acted in an activist manner and a manner that is not consistent with our beliefs.[2] -Lenny Curry, Florida Republican Party Chairman[3] |
” |
Arguments for retention:
| “ | Judicial independence is very hard to create and establish, and easier than most people imagine to damage and destroy.[1] -Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor[3] |
” |
| “ | This is about a group, a political party, that wants to take control over the third branch of government.[2] -Justice Barbara Pariente[3] |
” |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Herald Tribune, "Republican Party aims to re-make Florida Supreme Court," October 2, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 ABC Action News, "Florida Supreme Court retention race becomes heated with accusations of partisan takeover," October 12, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Restore Justice 2012 website
| |||||
