Supreme Court candidate Allen Loughry, the sole recipient of public campaign funds from a West Virginia pilot project, announced Monday that he had petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the release of the program’s so-called rescue funding. The Republican also said that he has weighed in on a federal lawsuit that seeks to strike down the pilot project’s rescue funding provision. Neither filing was immediately available late Monday.
West Virginia is experimenting with public financing in response to concerns about the perceived influence of campaign cash on judicial candidates. After providing initial amounts to participating candidates, the program offers additional or “rescue” funds when they’re outspent by traditionally funded opponents or outside groups. But the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down rescue funding in Arizona’s public financing program. That decision prompted a federal judge to rule in May against a similar provision in North Carolina’s program for judicial races.
Full Article: W.Va. court candidate suing over public funds – AP State Wire News – The Sacramento Bee.