By AP
LANSING, MI –
A new report from a judicial watchdog group says Michigan had the nation's costliest state court races in 2009-10, with most of the $9.2 million coming from outside groups that paid for a flurry of negative campaign ads.
The report was released Thursday by the Justice at Stake Campaign, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law and the National Institute of Money in State Politics. Spending nationally was $38.4 million.
The race resulted in the court switching from a 4-3 Democratic majority to one where Republicans now hold a 4-3 edge.
The report says voters were left in the dark over who was donating to the race through political parties or special-interest groups. Michigan doesn't require donor disclosure except for money given directly to candidates.