Pennsylvanians retain Supreme Court justices

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(The Center Square) - Attempts to turn a run-of-the-mill judicial retention choice on Pennsylvania ballots into a political battleground proved unsuccessful Tuesday.

Just after 9 p.m., multiple media outlets declared that voters had elected David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty to maintain their seats for another 10 years, maintaining the court’s 5-2 liberal majority.

Conservative political groups had hoped to persuade voters to side against retaining the justices, casting them as left-leaning activists who have used their power to influence the state.

Democrats met the threat with major spending in the state to encourage the judges’ retention, stressing their capacity to influence reproductive, voting, and workers’ rights.

“Tonight, Pennsylvanians sent a clear message to Republicans who are trying to take over the judiciary to keep themselves in power: you can’t escape accountability from the voters,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president Heather Williams. “From protecting Pennsylvanians’ voices at the ballot box to securing their freedoms and opportunities, we are confident these justices will continue to stand up for working families throughout the rest of their terms.” 

Spending from both parties totaled in the millions, including huge investments from the Democratic National Committee.

Since the state put retention on the ballot in 1968, only one judge has lost their retention race. The justices’ mandates are up for renewal every 10 years until they reach the age of 75. The nonpartisan Pennsylvania Bar Association recommended all three for retention.

The race was viewed as one of several across the country that might serve as referendums of Republican leadership under President Donald Trump and in Congress. Trump himself urged Pennsylvania voters to oust the justices, whom he called “radical.”