Litigation

When Should Judges Recuse over their own Campaign Contributions?

By Bert Brandenburg

The growing debate over recusal of judges over campaign cash has seeped into the federal courts.  This time questions involve contributions made by judges.  The National Law Journal reports that two members of the Minnesota Supreme Court, which has been hearing litigation over the prolonged U.S. Senate race recount there, have donated to incumbent Norm Coleman or to a political action committee that has supported him.  Another justice gave money to former Coleman opponent Paul Wellstone.

Two Minnesota justices have already said they will recuse themselves from hearing a recount appeal because they were part of a five-person board that oversaw the original recount.

Full post as published by The Gavel on April 16, 2009 (boomark / email).