A United States Supreme Court ruling in a Minnesota case might have an impact on judges running for election in Missouri. The Missouri Supreme Court has gone along with a case that centers on candidates for judicial offices and the candidates’ views on disputed legal cases. Missouri Bar President Theresa Levings says it’s a matter of free speech and the candidates’ First Amendment rights. Levings says the ruling will extend to Missouri in that thoserunning for judicial offices will no longer be subject to disciplinary measures for expressing their views. But, she says, this will not allow a candidate to promise to rule a certain way if he or she is elected. Statewide, 8 circuit judgeships, in addition to several associate judgeships, are being contested this year.
