Litigation

New Judicial Ouster Group Named in Iowa

By Peter Hardin

Former Republican candidate for governor Bob Vander Plaats today that “Iowa for Freedom” is the name of the group he will lead to push for the ouster of three Iowa Supreme Court justices in retention elections this fall.

Vander Plaats criticized the state high court for its ruling last year that legalized same-sex marriage, according to a Des Moines Register blog post.

?On April 3, 2009, they clearly legislated from the bench by saying Iowa will be a same-sex marriage state,? he said at a press conference. ?It is not their place to legislate from the bench. It is the Legislature?s place to make law, not the Supreme Court?s place to make law.?

According to a press release, Vander Plaats announced a “very focused, grassroots campaign.” He said, “The results are going to send a signal across this country that we?re not going to let appointed judges usurp the will of the people any longer.”

Former Gov. Terry Bransted, who won the Republican nomination to run for governor this year, signaled he would not take a public position on whether Iowans should deny re-election to the three justices.

Carolyn Jenison, executive director of the One Iowa group that backs the gay marriage ruling, said Vander Plaats “aims to hurt Iowa families, divide our communities, and demean our judicial tradition of equality for all,? according to a Radio Iowa report.

Others have warned that increasing politicization of efforts against judges threatens judicial independence in Iowa (see Gavel Grab.)

Full post as published by The Gavel on August 11, 2010 (boomark / email).