3rd-party mud prompts cry for election reforms

The Clarion-Ledger, 11/9/8

The latest Mississippi Supreme Court races rank among the nastiest in modern state history – this time with third parties slinging the mud.

“This is no way to elect a judiciary,” said Matt Steffey, professor at Mississippi College School of Law.

He and others say reforms are needed in hopes of cleaning up future judicial campaigns.

State Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz Jr. lost his re-election bid after being lambasted in an advertisement that accused him of supporting baby-killers.

Groups also sought to smear judicial candidate Jim Kitchens, who defeated Chief Justice Jim Smith in Tuesday elections for a seat on the high court.