Buying Time—2008: Idaho
Analysis
On May 27, incumbent Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton won his bid for a contested seat on the Idaho Supreme Court . His challenger was 2nd District Judge John Bradbury. The Supreme Court's election was held as part of the Idaho primary - there is no runoff in the general fall election.
Horton was appointed to the bench by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in September to replace retiring Justice Linda Copple-Trout, who said she was stepping down so she wouldn't have to endure another possible election-year challenge.
During the election, candidates were at odds over the results of the Idaho State Bar's survey. The survey, which consisted of the bar sending questionnaires to its members asking them to rate the candidates, showed that Horton outscored Bradbury by nearly a point in every featured category. Bradbury criticized the survey as being a popularity contest.
Leading up to the November 2008 election, the Brennan Center is releasing real-time reports on television advertising in state Supreme Court elections. The 2008 reports continue the groundbreaking analysis first conducted in 2000 examining the sponsorship, content and costs of televised state Supreme Court campaign ads.
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May 5, 2008 – Bradbury Facts
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May 5, 2008 – Bradbury Secrets
Creates platform for reforms of the judiciary.