Federal judge strikes down Wis. judicial rules
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has struck down rules that prohibit Wisconsin judges from joining political parties, soliciting campaign donations and endorsing partisan candidates.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb says the rules do little to advance an independent judiciary and violate judges' free speech rights. She says the Wisconsin Judicial Commission cannot enforce them.
Crabb says the rules may actually hurt the judicial system because they deny voters information about candidates and hide potential bias among judges.
Milwaukee County Judge John Siefert had challenged the rules, saying he wants to be able to join the Democratic Party, endorse Democratic candidates and raise money for his next campaign.
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