Supreme Court Turns Down Judicial Campaign Finance Case on Rescue Funds
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a campaign finance case that challenges a North Carolina law giving “rescue funds” to publicly funded appeals court candidates based on their opponents’ spending.
The rescue provisions are triggered when privately financed opponents and independent groups exceed certain spending thresholds, the Associated Press reports. The cert denial leaves in place a decision (PDF) by the Richmond, Va.-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the judicial campaign finance law.
Unsuccessful supreme court candidate Russell Duke Jr. had challenged the law, SCOTUSblog reports. He did not take public funds for his campaign. Two political committees opposing abortion had also challenged the law.
The plaintiffs had argued the provisions violated their rights under the First Amendment because it coerced them into keeping their spending below certain levels. The Brennan Center helped defend the financing system and posted documents in the case.
