Political groups fight for control of state supreme courts

SEATTLE – Political groups are waging a high-stakes battle for institutions that were once considered above politics: state supreme courts.

The groups increasingly view control of the high courts as essential to either defending or thwarting state laws. And they are willing to spend big to gain the advantage.

So far in the current election cycle, a record $14 million in independent money has been spent on television advertisements for state supreme court seats. That’s according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.

The figure represents about half of all the money spent on the races, including the amount spent by the candidates themselves. The final tally will not be known until after Election Day. It’s sure to be much higher.