Locked out of power on the Supreme Court and still playing catch-up against Republicans in the federal judiciary, Democrats are hoping to gain a political advantage on a less visible but still important playing field: the state courts.
After flipping the Arizona governor’s seat from Republican to Democratic last year, Gov.
In five years leading deeply red Kansas, the Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, has named two justices to the Court of Appeals and one to the State Supreme Court.
Governors have the power to appoint judges in nearly every state.
These responsibilities are set to take center stage in political campaigns this year, as the Democratic Governors Association begins a multimillion-dollar effort, called the Power to Appoint Fund, aimed at key governor’s races.
Persons:
Katie Hobbs, Laura Kelly
Organizations:
Supreme, Republicans, Arizona, Republican, Democratic, Gov, Supreme Court, Governors, Democratic Governors Association
Locations:
Kansas, New Hampshire, North Carolina