Buying Time 2014 – Tennessee

Three of Tennessee’s five supreme court justices were up for retention in 2014. Tennessee governors appoint supreme court justices for their first term and they subsequently sit for retention elections every eight years. Chief Justice Gary Wade, Justice Cornelia Clark, and Justice Sharon Lee participated in the retention race on August 7. In previous retention elections, none of the three raised or spent any money. However, this year, Republican Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey launched a statewide campaign to oust the three justices, originally appointed by a Democratic governor. The three justices created a coordinated campaign, called Keep Tennessee Courts Fair, to counter the attacks against their retention and raise funds.

All three justices were retained in the August 7 race.  

Estimated Total Spending: $1,752,820*

• Estimated spending by Keep Tennessee Courts Fair, the coordinated campaign to retain justices Connie Clark, Sharon Lee, and Gary Wade: $737,180
• Estimated spending by Gary Wade: $116,860
• Estimated spending by the Tennessee Forum: $596,970
• Estimated spending by the State Government Leadership Foundation: $46,160
• Tennesseans for Fair Courts: $255,650

*These figures were last updated December 4, 2014. 

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July 30 – Bill Jenkins

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In this ad, retired Republican U.S. Congressman Bill Jenkins says, “The recent political attacks on our state Supreme Court are simply not true.”

Sponsor: Gary Wade

Estimated Spending: $21,200

July 29 – Truth Test

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In this ad, the three justices respond to the claims made against them in the previous attack ads. 

Sponsor: Keep Tennessee Courts Fair, the coordinated campaign to retain justices Connie Clark, Sharon Lee, and Gary Wade

Estimated Spending: $268,900

July 24 – Outrageous 

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This ad condemns the “smear campaign” against Wade, Clark, and Lee. 

Sponsor: Tennesseans for Fair Courts

Estimated Spending: $255,650

July 24 – Most Liberal 15

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This ad claims the Tennessee Supreme Court is “liberal on crime” and is “helping advance Obamacare.”

Sponsor: Tennessee Forum 

Estimated Spending: $145,930

July 21 – 28 States 15

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This ad criticizes the three justices for being “liberal on the Obama agenda.” 

Sponsor: State Government Leadership Foundation 

Estimated Spending: $46,160

July 21 – Passion

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This ad highlights Wade’s passion for work, family, and faith. 

Sponsor: Gary Wade

Estimated Spending: $95,660

July 21 – Mickey Barker

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In this ad, retired Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Mickey Barker says “politics has no place in our courts.” 

Sponsor: Keep Tennessee Courts Fair (the coordinated campaign to retain justices Connie Clark, Sharon Lee, and Gary Wade)

Estimated Spending: $172,420

July 19 – Most Liberal 

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In this ad, the Tennessee Forum calls the state Supreme Court the “most liberal place in Tennessee.”

Sponsor: Tennessee Forum

Estimated Spending: $451,040

July 11 – As Tennessee 

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This ad highlights the three justices’ experiences upholding the Constitution. 

Sponsor: Keep Tennessee Courts Fair (the coordinated campaign to retain justices Connie Clark, Sharon Lee, and Gary Wade)

Estimated Spending: $295,860