Arizona Supreme Court Justices Bolick and King Triumph Over Tough Retention Battles

By Daniel Stefanski |

In a significant outcome for Arizona’s judiciary, Supreme Court Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King successfully retained their positions after facing competitive challenges in recent elections.

On Tuesday, Justice Bolick secured 58.36% of the votes, while Justice King garnered an impressive 59.43%. Both justices had encountered heightened scrutiny regarding their judicial roles.

Following the election results, Justice Bolick expressed gratitude in a statement: “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the USA’s best state supreme court for another three years. This win is crucial for preserving an independent judiciary in Arizona.”

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry showered praise on the justices, declaring, “Congratulations to Arizona Supreme Court Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King on overwhelmingly being retained by Arizona voters despite partisan attempts to remove them from the bench.” The Chamber noted its satisfaction in supporting both justices, whom they described as fair-minded and independent.

Both Bolick and King were appointed by former Governor Doug Ducey, with Bolick joining the Arizona Supreme Court in 2016 and King in 2021. Their prior experience includes significant roles as attorneys in the private sector.

The Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review highlighted the judges’ qualifications, stating that both justices met high standards in their decision-making abilities. Justice Bolick achieved over 97% in evaluations, while Justice King exceeded 90%. The Commission aims to provide accurate information to the public, aiding voters in making informed decisions during retention elections.

Judicial retention elections in Arizona often see lower voter engagement compared to other races. However, recent years have witnessed increased scrutiny towards judges, with outside groups stepping up their efforts to influence public perception. This ended up spotlighting both Bolick and King in the current electoral cycle. Notably, this was Bolick’s second retention election, while it marked the first for King.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.