Justices weigh would-be judges’ appeals for campaign cash

This undated photo shows Lanell Williams-Yulee. Voters in the Tampa area didn’t think much of Williams-Yulee’s campaign for county judge in 2010, and the group that regulates Florida’s lawyers didn’t much like Williams-Yulee’s campaign tactics. Along with a drubbing in the election, she was hauled before the Florida Bar for violating its ban on personally soliciting campaign contributions by sending a “Dear Friend” letter asking for money. (AP Photo/Tampa Tribune) This undated photo shows Lanell Williams-Yulee. Voters in the Tampa area didn’t think much of Williams-Yulee’s campaign for county judge in 2010, and the group that regulates Florida’s lawyers didn’t much like Williams-Yulee’s campaign tactics. Along with a drubbing in the election, she was hauled before the Florida Bar for violating its ban on personally soliciting campaign contributions by sending a “Dear Friend” letter asking for money. (AP Photo/Tampa Tribune)

By Associated Press January 19, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court is hearing a dispute over whether states can prohibit candidates for elected judgeships from making personal appeals for campaign cash.

The case from Florida is being argued Tuesday, one day shy of five years since the justices freed corporations and labor unions to spend freely in federal elections.

Judges in 39 states get their jobs by being elected. Florida is among 30 of those states which prohibit candidates from personally asking for campaign contributions.

One-time candidate Lanell Williams-Yulee says the ban violates her right to speak freely. But the Florida Bar says in defense of the ban that it’s more important to preserve public confidence in an impartial judiciary.

If Williams-Yulee prevails, it could free many judicial candidates to make personal appeals for campaign contributions.