judgesonmerit.org

Tennessee’s Triangle Business Journal reports that “The state’s 29 current appellate court judges are in agreement that Tennessee’s merit selection process should stand.”  If not renewed by the legislature this year, Tennessee’s Merit Selection system will expire.

The state’s appellate judges are concerned that if the system expires and is replaced by an elective system, money will poison the judicial selection process.  Justice William Koch “told [the Tennessee Business Roundtable] he is concerned about the effect that campaign money would have on judges’ impartiality, were the state to require judges to run for election.”

When judges express sincere concern about the impact of campaign contributions on judicial decision-making, it’s a clear signal that judges should not be in the fundraising business.  We hope Tennessee realizes this and maintains Merit Selection.  And we hope the people of Pennsylvania will get the opportunity to decide this issue for themselves.