Kentucky voters will choose a new justice for the state's 5th Supreme Court district this November, the Kentucky Lantern reported. Democrats and Republicans are sharply divided on the candidates despite their lack of official political affiliation.
The court will have a vacancy after Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter announced he would not seek another term. Early voting begins on October 31, with the candidates facing off for the position on the court.
Eight counties encompassing Central Kentucky will participate in the election, with the culmination of the race on Election Day. The candidates are attorney Erin Izzo and deputy chief Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Pamela Goodwine.
In Kentucky, judges are nonpartisan. However, Izzo has received backing from local Republican groups and an endorsement from the Clark County Republican Party. Goodwine has received a nod from Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and other prominent Democrats.
Judges are prohibited from giving their opinions on cases in advance, but the support they're receiving from the respective parties makes it clear where they stand. "I have been a registered independent since I became a judge, and I am known for continually displaying a strong work ethic along with honesty and integrity to ensure justice for all," Goodwine claimed.
"My strong reputation for upholding these values along with my 25 years of dedicated service as a judge has earned me respect from all parties. I have staunch supporters from all parties and welcome and accept invitations from all parties to participate in their events," she added. Still, her strongest supporters are Democrats and their donors.
Meanwhile, Izzo has courted support from voters of all stripes, noting she thinks it "would be dangerous for Kentucky" to add partisanship to the judge's race. "I think as a candidate, there’s not much I can do with my supporters in terms of who’s going to give endorsements and who’s not," Izzo said.
"It doesn’t surprise me, honestly, that Beshear came out and endorsed her given her political leanings. And it doesn’t surprise me that the Clark County Republicans came out and endorsed me because of their political leanings," Izzo added.
Izzo has also promised to be an originalist in her jurisprudence. "I look at how things are, what the intention of the founding fathers were with our Constitution, and that kind of carries over to what legislative intent was when a law was adopted," Izzo said.
While it's important to hear from Izzo, what's more telling is what her enemies say about her. On Planned Parenthood's voter information website, they smear Izzo because for her "extremist" support.
"The end of Roe v. Wade was just the beginning for those determined to take away our control over our bodies and medical choices. But this election, we have the power to push back," the abortion provider claimed.
"We need leaders who are unapologetic and unafraid to join us in the fight to take back control of our families, our bodies, and our future. This election, we decide," Planned Parenthood went on.
"Erin Izzo has a history of supporting extremist organizations that oppose same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive freedoms, including abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF)," the organization charged. Of course, this sounds like a list of her greatest achievements to actual conservatives.
The people of Kentucky will get to choose what kind of court they will have. Either they will elect an originalist like Izzo or someone like Goodwine, who the state's leftist governor endorsed.
