For information on Florida’s spending, and all other television spending in state supreme court races, click here.
In Florida, three justices on the Supreme Court were up for retention in 2012. Retention elections in Florida are rarely controversial or expensive, and no one has been removed under Florida’s retention system in the past 40 years. However, this year, the three justices – Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince, and R. Fred Lewis – faced an anti-retention campaign that drew support from a number of groups, including the state Republican Party and Americans for Prosperity. The three justices in question were the only Democrats sitting on the state’s highest bench. In response, a group called Defend Justice from Politics spent more than $3.1 million to support the retention of these three justices. In the entire 2000–2009 decade, only $7,500 was spent on Florida Supreme Court races.
All three justices were retained in the November 6 election.
Click here to return to the Buying Time — 2012 Homepage.
Advertisements
October 2012 – Healthcare Freedom
An ad sponsored by Americans for Prosperity – Florida Chapter focusing on healthcare freedom.
October 9, 2012 – Power Grab
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
An ad sponsored by Defend Justice From Politics on the politicization of courts.
News
Editorial, Impartial Justice at Risk, New York Times, October 6, 2012.