Reform in Minnesota needed for impartial justices

The Minneapolis Star Tribune called for judicial reform after Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed five district justices, a new associate justice and chief justice.

Yet these appointments, all within Gov. Pawlenty’s constitutional duty, eliminate the impartiality of Minnesota’s courts.

Judicial candidates have been able to flood campaigns with negative ads, special-interest endorsements and campaign contributions for five years because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Former GOP Gov. Al Quie proposed legislation that would replace contested elections with yes-or-no retention elections and the creation of a public evaluation process to better inform voters of judge’s performances. Stalled by legislators, the Star Tribune is pushing politicians to back the bill to give the public back an imperial judiciary.