The latest example is Gov. Andy Beshear’s fund-raising for Court of Appeals Judge Will Moynahan, who is running to keep the seat to which Beshear appointed him. The judge’s campaign website displays a photograph of him and the governor, which the committee considers to be an implied endorsement.
“Partisan politicians shouldn’t raise money for Kentucky judicial candidates, and judicial candidates should not use endorsements by partisan politicians, implied or explicit,” said Committee Chair Charles Boteler, speaking for the unanimous committee.
The committee is a nonpartisan group, with members from both political parties, that was organized more than 20 years ago to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary in Kentucky elections. It has objected to partisanship in several judicial campaigns in the last few years.
“Partisan politicians shouldn’t raise money for Kentucky judicial candidates, and judicial candidates should not use endorsements by partisan politicians, implied or explicit,” said Committee Chair Charles Boteler, speaking for the unanimous committee.
The committee is a nonpartisan group, with members from both political parties, that was organized more than 20 years ago to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary in Kentucky elections. It has objected to partisanship in several judicial campaigns in the last few years.
The state Constitution makes judicial elections nonpartisan, and the committee believes that the more partisan politics becomes involved in them, the more that essential distinction becomes blurred. Voters need to understand that judicial elections are not supposed to be like elections for executive and legislative offices, in which candidates take positions on issues they might face in office. The rules of the Kentucky Supreme Court prohibit judicial candidates from doing that.
Gov. Beshear, who appeared at a fundraising event for Judge Moynahan, did not reply to the committee’s request for comment. Moynahan did respond. He wrote, “I was honored when Gov. Andy Beshear appointed me to the bench last year, and I am proud to have his support in this campaign along with many others from across the political spectrum. In my campaign, I am reaching out to Republicans, Democrats, and independents throughout Central Kentucky, emphasizing my record of fair, impartial, and combat-tested judgment.”
Gov. Beshear, who appeared at a fundraising event for Judge Moynahan, did not reply to the committee’s request for comment. Moynahan did respond. He wrote, “I was honored when Gov. Andy Beshear appointed me to the bench last year, and I am proud to have his support in this campaign along with many others from across the political spectrum. In my campaign, I am reaching out to Republicans, Democrats, and independents throughout Central Kentucky, emphasizing my record of fair, impartial, and combat-tested judgment.”
Moynahan is running in the 5th Supreme Court District against Lucy Van Meter.
