The folloiwng statement was released by Americans for Prosperity Kansas after Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly appointed her fourth Kansas Supreme Court Justice with the current system of insiders.
TOPEKA, KS – Americans for Prosperity-Kansas (AFP-KS) urged voters to reject Kansas’ system for selecting state Supreme Court justices today after an unelected commission selected two unfit judges and an attorney as candidates to replace Justice Evelyn Wilson on the high court.
AFP-KS, the state’s largest grassroots advocacy organization, is currently canvassing in communities across the state to build support for a constitutional amendment on the ballot next year that would abolish the current nomination process in favor of direct election of justices.
Elizabeth Patton, AFP-KS state director, gave the following statement:
“The candidates chosen by the Supreme Court Nominating Commission today demonstrate the complete lack of transparency and accountability in the nomination process. Unsurprisingly, this unelected commission of progressive Democrats voted unanimously for these candidates, one of whom will become Democratic Governor Laura Kelly’s fourth appointment to the Kansas Supreme Court.
“It’s time to reject this rigged system and give all Kansans the opportunity to create a more impartial court. Kansas deserves better than a court of party loyalists who put their agenda above our constitution.”
Earl Watt is the owner and publisher of the Leader & Times in Liberal, Kansas. Watt started his career in journalism in 1991 at the Southwest Daily Times. During his career, the newspaper has won a total of 17 Sweepstakes awards from the Kansas Press Association for editorial content and 18 Sweepstakes awards for advertising. Watt has been recognized with more than 70 first place awards for writing in categories from sports and column to best front pages, best sports pages and best opinion pages. Watt is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and is the descendant of several patriots who fought for America's freedom and independence.
