Judicial Retention PACs Gear Up for Battle as Opponents Hit the Pavement

Political action committees in Arizona are aggressively campaigning to influence the retention of Supreme Court Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King. The Judicial Independence Defense PAC has reported substantial financial backing, while a rival committee focused on ousting the justices is just beginning its efforts.

The Judicial Independence Defense PAC, established in June, has garnered significant donations over the past three campaign finance reporting periods. Another pro-retention group, Arizonans for an Independent Judiciary, has also attracted hefty contributions. In contrast, Protect Abortion Rights, No Retention Bolick and King, which registered in August, has yet to report any funding or campaign activities.

DJ Quinlan, chair of Protect Abortion Rights, assures that while their committee has just started fundraising and campaigning, they have been collaborating with partner committees. He emphasized that their activities ramped up in the last two weeks.

Arizona’s judicial retention elections have historically lacked organized opposition, making the current campaigns notable. As of October 15, the Judicial Independence Defense PAC has raised approximately $300,000 between mid-July and the end of September. Among its contributors was billionaire Jeff Yass, who donated $200,000.

During this fundraising period, the PAC spent around $179,220, with nearly $97,500 allocated for advertising signs. Heading into the general election, they reported a remaining balance of around $250,000.

Daniel Scarpinato, spokesperson for the PAC, acknowledged the vast support they’ve received but noted the challenges of standing out in a crowded election cycle. He emphasized their strategy of reaching out to voters across all political affiliations, advocating a simple message: vote to retain every judge.

The committee Arizonans for an Independent Judiciary, dedicated to preserving all judges’ positions, has collected approximately $8,950. This includes notable contributions from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce’s Moving Arizona Forward PAC. They spent about $11,115 and reported a remaining balance of $36,466.

While backing the retention of all judges, this committee recently denounced political attacks targeting Bolick, King, and other judges. The opposing committee, focusing on Bolick and King’s ouster, indicated no contributions or activities in their latest report.

Despite reporting inactivity, Protect Abortion Rights did manage to display campaign signage earlier this month. They highlighted that their campaign has received no out-of-state contributions and emphasized local fundraising efforts.

Quinlan mentioned that their committee functions primarily through partnerships with several progressive organizations, including Future Freedoms and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. To maximize grassroots support, they have placed a cap of $5,000 on individual donations.

Both committees recognize the limitations of competing for voter attention amid major races like the U.S. Senate and presidential elections. Quinlan expressed that direct voter outreach, such as door-to-door canvassing, is their best strategy for engagement.