• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / No mandatory recusal for justices dealing with campaign contributors

No mandatory recusal for justices dealing with campaign contributors

October 29, 2009 By WRN Contributor

The state Supreme Court has sided with business interests by rejecting calls for reform of the judicial code of conduct. In a 4-3 vote, the court approved rules allowing judges to hear cases involving their biggest campaign contributors.

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson along with Justices Patrick Crooks and Ann Walsh Bradley were the dissenters. Bradley said the rules do not address concerns about bias in the judiciary.

AUDIO: Justice Bradley (MP3 :19)

While Justice Michael Gableman said the change is needed.

AUDIO: Justice Gableman (MP3 :10)

He was joined by Justices Annette Ziegler, Pat Roggensack and David Prosser in adopting the rules, which were written by the Wisconsin Realtors Association and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

During the emotional hearing, the high court rejected proposals from retired Justice Bill Bablitch and the League of Women Voters. Bablitch suggested withdrawing when a litigant had given $10,000 dollars. The League said a justice should pull out if a litigant had given $1,000 over a two-year period. 

Gableman called the league a left-wing group which is trying to limit campaign speech and it wants government instead of voters to hold judges accountable for their ethics.

Jason Fischer contributed to this report

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Politics / Govt



Featured Stories

Wisconsin veterans cheer passage of PACT Act

Lasry leaves U.S. Senate race and endorses Barnes

Trump will host Waukesha campaign rally for Tim Michels

U.S. House passes Respect for Marriage Act

Former UW Chancellor Blank’s cancer diagnosis means she will not take Northwestern job

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC