Fair Courts for Us Launches Radio Campaign Urging Iowans to 'Vote Yes' to Retain Supreme Court Justices

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fair Courts for Us Committee, a grassroots, bipartisan effort composed of local citizens, community and civic leaders, and legal scholars, has hit the airwaves with its "vote yes" message to retain three Supreme Court justices on this fall's ballot.  

The radio spot opens with sounds of football action and the fans reacting to a controversial call. The voice of former Republican Gov. Robert Ray calmly reminds listeners: "We'll never agree with every call, but you shouldn't fire the good referees over just one call. The same is true for the Iowa Supreme Court."

The ad begins airing today in seven major markets across the state with other markets to be added next week.

"It's important for people to understand that voting 'yes' to retain the justices is a vote to keep politics out of our courts," said Dan Moore, a Republican and co-chair of Fair Courts for Us. "Iowa's court system is respected and highly ranked nationally for its fairness and impartiality."

The radio ad also points out that the Iowa Supreme Court has been making great calls on a host of issues that protect Iowa families: including the decision regarding convicted sex offenders and another protecting individual property rights.

After encouraging people to join him in turning over the ballot and voting yes, Ray concludes: "There's enough politics out there—we don't need it in our courts."

Fair Courts for Us underscores that while some want to isolate one decision as a reason to get political, under the current system the courts are more accountable.

"They're accountable to the constitution, and that's what has distinguished Iowa as a state with a fair and impartial court system," Moore added. "We will lose that if justices are selected on their politics rather than their qualifications."

The Fair Courts for Us Committee is a grassroots effort organized to help educate the public about the advantages of Iowa's judicial merit selection system. The committee is educating voters through direct mail and other paid media and advertising. The co-chairs of Fair Courts for Us are: Moore, a Sioux City attorney and Republican; Arthur Neu, a Carroll attorney and former Republican lieutenant governor of Iowa; and Christie Vilsack, a Democrat, former First Lady and executive director of the Iowa Initiative.

Those interested in supporting Fair Courts for Us can send contributions to Fair Courts for Us Committee, PO Box 6160, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. People can give on the web at: http://pleaseContribute.com/9644.

SOURCE Fair Courts for Us Committee