There's more and more buzz about this year's contested Idaho Supreme Court race in the wake of this week's lively debate between incumbent Justice Roger Burdick and challenger Judge John Bradbury. Here's a press release from former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Robert Huntley, who says he's generally refrained from involvement in judicial elections, but since a sitting justice and a former justice have spoken out for Burdick over Bradbury and a state Bar poll that Huntley faults as "scientifically and statistically unsound" has ranked Burdick higher, "Having knowledge of Judge Bradbury's qualifications, it is my duty to speak out. Having practiced before Judge Bradbury and having known him for a number of years, I respect him as one of Idaho's most outstanding judges."

Meanwhile, state Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, has sent out a statement lauding Burdick over Bradbury, and criticizing Bradbury's statements in the debate about the state's school facilities lawsuit. "Judge Bradbury's argument seems to me to be an interventionist and activist interpretation (ie, get more money to the schools) of what should be the rule of law in Idaho and a clear violation of the separation of powers of our Idaho Constitution," Hartgen wrote.

The May 25 vote on the Supreme Court race is the final vote in the nonpartisan race, though it takes place during the primary election; you can watch the debate online here.

---

---