Litigation

AK Justice Faces Challenge by Abortion Foes

By Peter Hardin

Several heated retention (up-or-down) elections for state judges have sparked widespread attention this year, but until now, Gavel Grab had overlooked an effort to oust Alaska Chief Justice Dana Fabe.

Chief Justice Fabe has upheld the legality of abortion and has drawn stern opposition from anti-abortion activists, who label her an activist judge, according to an Anchorage Daily News editorial. The editorial stands behind a vote for her retention and for judicial independence:

“The purpose of the retention process is to allow the removal of unfit judges. The purpose is not to allow the removal of judges because a decision in a given case has disappointed or angered an interest group.”

“If we allow litigants to remove judges simply because they disagree with their rulings, we all have reason to fear for justice in Alaska.”

These other elections around the country were making news.

IOWA: Local and national leaders of a vigorous campaign to oust three state Supreme Court justices over a ruling that legalized same-sex marriage say Iowa represents the first skirmish in a large-scale struggle over gay rights nationwide, according to an Iowa Independent article.

ALABAMA: The original source of a $100,000 contribution to the campaign of Alabama Justice Tom Parker is cloaked in secrecy through a state campaign finance provision that critics judge far too lax, according to a Mobile Press-Register article.

For other election news, check out Justice at Stake’s Judicial Elections 2010 page.

Full post as published by The Gavel on October 29, 2010 (boomark / email).