The battle over dark money in the Oklahoma Supreme Court election heated up this week as spending topped $3.6 million. Interest groups seeking to remove three “liberal” justices reported spending $1.4 million, while supporters of the justices and judicial independence reported spending $1.6 million. The funds, totaling $3.64 million, have been spent by four organizations on each side, with undisclosed donors. The campaign aims to remove Justices Yvonne Kauger, James Edmondson, and Noma Gurich, who have often ruled against Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA).
The campaign has raised concerns about judicial independence and the influence of dark money in the state’s highest court. The campaign is also marked by the involvement of political action committees and nonprofit organizations with ties to Stitt and conservative groups. The outcome of the election could potentially shift the balance of power in the court, where Democratic appointees currently hold a majority.
Despite the high stakes, no justice has ever lost a retention election in Oklahoma. The campaigns have drawn support from various groups, including Indian tribes, former Attorneys General, and political action committees. In addition to the Supreme Court race, other significant expenditures have been reported in races for State Question 833 and the Oklahoma County sheriff’s race. The election is scheduled for November 5, and voters will have the opportunity to retain or replace the justices on the ballot.
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