Ohio’s limits on the fundraising of state judges survived a challenge before the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The limits at issue kept judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions unless addressing more than 20 and require candidates to take legal responsibility for their campaign committees. (Courthouse News Service, September 21, 2015, by Lorraine Bailey)
The 6th Circuit decision cited this year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar in ruling against a judicial candidate’s campaign committee. The Supreme Court found that states could regulate personal solicitation by judicial candidates without violating the First Amendment in the interests in protecting judge’s independence and integrity. (ABA Journal, September 22, 2015, by Debra Cassens Weiss)