From Bryan Fischer of the Idaho Values Alliance

Yesterday, the Idaho Judicial Council sent four names to Governor Butch Otter as its short list of nominees for an upcoming vacancy on the Idaho Supreme Court.

The governor’s spokesman indicated to the Idaho Statesman that Gov. Otter will look for a “strict constructionist and not an activist,” and was quoted this way: “He wants to find somebody that is motivated not so much by political philosophy as judicial philosophy.”

We could not agree more. Now is the time for us all to contact the governor’s office and let him know we strongly support his intention to choose a strict constructionist for the bench. This is our opportunity as ordinary citizens to have some influence on this critical decision.

Further, it would be good to encourage the governor to appoint a judge who intends to serve out his final term in office, thus leaving the choice of his replacement up to the voters, as the Constitution specifies, rather than retiring early and placing the process in the hands of an appointed commission who have no direct accountability to the citizenry.

Please take a moment to email Governor Butch Otter at: governor@gov.idaho.gov.

In the subject line of the email, simply put: “Please appoint a strict constructionist to the Idaho Supreme Court,” and in the body of the email, put something to this effect:

Dear Governor Otter,

I was pleased to read of your intent to appoint a strict constructionist to the Idaho Supreme Court. You have my strong support, since I believe it is critically important to have judges who understand that their role is to apply the law, not make the law.

Further, I would like to urge you to appoint a justice who intends to serve out his last term in office so that the choice of his replacement will rest in the hands of the voters, as the state constitution specifies, rather than in the hands of an appointed committee.

Thank you for your service to the people of the state of Idaho, and may God grant you wisdom as you make this important decision.

Sincerely,
(Your name)

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