Judiciary
Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Runs for Two Spots to Protest ‘Cronyism’
Posted May 14, 2008, 06:21 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A Mississippi Supreme Court justice who wants to protest “cronyism at its worst” is running—at least for now—for two seats on his court.
Justice Charles "Chuck" Easley told the Columbus Commercial Dispatch he filed to run for his seat and the one occupied by Ann Hannaford Lamar to protest her midterm appointment by the governor.
Easley said the court is dominated by five liberal justices who were appointed by the governor during midterm vacancies. “It’s just cronyism at its worst,” he told the newspaper and a Clarion Ledger columnist. “I want voters to maintain the right to elect their judges.”
Easley told the Dispatch it appeared the appointment of Lamar was “politically correct” to make sure the court had at least one female. She replaced retiring Justice Kay Cobb.
Easley said he will eventually drop out of one of the races.
Clarion Ledger columnist Sid Salter criticized Easley’s decision and interview. “State voters singularly unimpressed with the ‘statement’ Easley's making—particularly women voters—might be well-served to send Easley a message of their own by voting for other candidates in both races,” he said.
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