Federal judge dismisses free speech challenges to campaign funding: (WI)

[iwishiwas]

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/04/9944/live-reporting-wisconsin-protests


Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Federal judge dismisses free speech challenges to campaign funding:

Groups argued against provision that gives candidates extra money if outside spending reaches threshold


Wisconsin Right to Life, joined by the Wisconsin Center for Economic Prosperity and school choice advocate George Mitchell, had sought an injunction to halt the public financing process for the election. They contend the law violates their free speech rights under the First Amendment. In a 39-page opinion and order, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley denied the plaintiffs' motions and granted judgment to the defendants, which include the Government Accountability Board, the secretary of state and the district attorneys of Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Conley wrote that in light of the state's undeniably compelling interest in avoiding the perception that Supreme Court elections are tainted with an appearance of bias, he was upholding the law. Wisconsin Right to Life said it intends to appeal immediately for emergency relief in advance of Tuesday's election pitting incumbent Justice David Prosser against Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. In a separate order, Conley also dismissed a similar challenge by former Supreme Court candidate Randy Koschnick, who ran unsuccessfully in 2009 with private funding and said he expected to run again.

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http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119015369.html