From the Southern

BOTH SUPREME COURT JUDGE CANDIDATES RECEIVE ENDORSEMENTS FROM NRA
BY JEFF SMYTH
THE SOUTHERN
[Thu Aug 26 2004]
MURPHYSBORO -- Republican Illinois Supreme Court judge candidate Lloyd
Karmeier received an "A" rating and the endorsement of the National Rifle
Association -- the same as his opponent, Democrat Gordon Maag.
"We don't normally endorse opposing candidates in a race, but it happens
from time to time when their views are close to the NRA's," said Ashley
Varner, a spokeswoman for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action.
"We want Republican hunters and Democrat hunters to know that either choice
they make in this is going to be a good choice for the Second Amendment."
Varner said the decision to endorse both was based on their responses to
questionnaires each candidate returned to the organization regarding gun
rights.
Both men say they support the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.
Karmeier made brief appearances in Murphysboro and Pinckneyville Thursday to
tout the NRA's support.
He also announced an endorsement by ABATE, a motorcyclist's rights group.
Karmeier said the NRA's endorsement resulted from the group's confidence
that he would not take an activist position regarding in how gun laws are
interpreted, but rather follow the letter of the law.
"As a FOID card holder, the proud owner of an antique shotgun that's a
prized gift from my father, and a sporting clay enthusiast, I am honored by
the endorsement," Karmeier said.
Brendon Hostetler, a spokesperson for Maag for Justice, said his candidate
his also a strong Second Amendment advocate who joined the NRA as a junior
member in 1966.
"He still has his Junior NRA card," Hostetler said. "We haven't heard Judge
Karmeier talk much about his NRA credentials. Judge Maag is a strong
advocate for hunting and fishing. We'd put his record up against anyone's."
The men are vying for the first seat on state's highest court to open up in
the Fifth Judicial District covering the 37 lower counties in 10 years.
Karmeier, of Nashville, is a circuit court judge in Washington County. Maag,
of Glen Carbon, is a 5th Judicial District Appellate Court judge.
The candidates appeared together Wednesday in Collinsville for an
announcement of the Illinois State Bar Association that it has formed a Tone
and Conduct Committee to monitor advertising and public statements regarding
the race. Both men signed pledges disavowing advertisements that impugn the
integrity of either candidate or which erode public trust in the judicial
system.
The measures were initiated over concern about a trend in Illinois and
nationwide in which third-party organizations are spending millions of
dollars to promote judicial candidates and slam those they feel don't share
their views. ISBA President Ole Bly Pace said such tactics raises questions
in the minds of voters about the independence of the judiciary.
"These ads make it appear that judicial candidates are involved in these
agendas," Pace said. "The people are left with the idea that whoever is
elected isn't there to be fair and objective but to do the bidding for
someone else. Judges are not suppose to be beholden to any political party
or interest group."
Judicial candidates are prohibited from opining on issues that may come
before the court, but third-party groups are free to promote specific
agendas. Political watchdog groups believe as much as $5 million could be
spent by special interests on the Karmeier-Maag race.
Pace said that if questions are raised about particular ad or comment made
during the race, the Tone and Conduct Committee will evaluate it. If the
committee deems the actions denigrate the integrity of the judiciary or a
candidate, ISBA will speak out against it. The association will also ask the
candidates to disavow the charges.
"I think their concern is that the race not become overly politicized in the
traditional way of a political campaign," Karmeier said. "The bar
association is stressing this is not a political race. It is a different
kind of race."
While Karmeier signed the pledge, he had reservations about infringing the
free speech rights of groups and individuals of those that might become
targets of the committee.
"We have a concern about organizations that want to make their positions
know and their free speech rights," Karmeier said. "We as candidates have to
be careful not to trample on those rights."
jeff.smyth@thesouthern.com 618-529-5454 x15073