Litigation

Five Pro-Ouster Groups Spent $948,000 in IA

By Peter Hardin

Five out-of-state special interest groups pumped $948,000 over a two-month period into the successful campaign to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices, according to an Iowa Independent article published today.

Meanwhile, another possible GOP presidential contender in 2012 has spoken publicly about the ouster vote in Iowa’s retention elections. It was spurred by the high court’s ruling in 2009 that permitted same-sex marriages.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the vote shows “people are sick to death of one branch of government thinking it is more powerful than the other two put together,” Politico reported. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich talked about the results earlier this week (see Gavel Grab) and said the four remaining justices ought to resign.

Regarding political spending, the Iowa Independent said disclosure documents reported the following spending in support of the ouster drive: the National Organization for Marriage, $635,627; the American Family Association, nearly $140,000; the Family Research Council, $55,996; Citizens United Political Victory Fund, $18,000; and Campaign for Working Families PAC, $100,000.

During the same period, The Fair Courts for Us Committee, which supported keeping the justices, spent $366,000.

The heated ouster drive over a single, controversial ruling has drawn national attention. You can learn more from Gavel Grab.

Full post as published by The Gavel on November 18, 2010 (boomark / email).