From the Daily Herald

New judge glad nasty race is over
Associated Press
Posted Tuesday, December 07, 2004
SPRINGFIELD - Lloyd Karmeier said he is ready to put his political days behind him and head back to the bench after one of the nastiest and most expensive judicial races ever.
Karmeier was sworn in as the newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court Monday before scores of family, friends and colleagues. He once again complained about his race, in which the candidates spent millions of dollars accusing each other of being soft on crime.
"This is something I think we need to look at, I really do," Karmeier told reporters. "I think the amount of money that was spent and the fact that the race went negative is not good for the system."
Karmeier, a Republican from Nashville, defeated Democrat Gordon Maag by about 10 percentage points Nov. 2 to end decades of Democrat control of the sprawling, 37-county Fifth District seat.
His win narrows the court's Democratic majority to 4-3.
The two relatively obscure judges from southern Illinois raised at least $8.5 million and spent more than $7 million - easily shattering state and national records for judicial races. Much of the money came from party leaders and powerful interest groups hoping to get another friendly justice on the court amid growing debate on how to curb the cost of malpractice lawsuits.
Doctors and big business who support limits on costly lawsuits poured mountains of campaign cash into the race for Karmeier, and trial lawyers who oppose most such limits did the same on Maag's behalf.
The race drew outcries for reform from political experts and campaign watchdogs, even though it's likely the last state Supreme Court race until the end of the decade unless a current justice steps down or must be replaced.
Karmeier insisted political backing would play no role in his decision-making on the court and said he prides himself on being honest, fair and balanced.
But he acknowledged the race could be a "catalyst for change." Among changes that have been mentioned are the legislature instituting limits on spending in judicial races or having Supreme Court judges appointed instead of elected. Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
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