Haslam Family Has Given To Contested Justice, But Governor Works Hard To Stay Above The Fray

The campaigns for and against unseating three justices have spent $1 million. Credit: Tennessee Forum

Gov. Bill Haslam says he’d happily appoint Republicans to the state’s Supreme Court if voters move to replace the three Democratic judges in Thursday’s election. He tried to keep himself out of the fight, but several members of his family have given money to campaign for the justices.

After an event at a diner in Franklin with Sen. Lamar Alexander, Haslam said his family has given to the campaign of Judge Gary Wade, a former business partner of the Haslam’s. The governor himself and his wife, however, haven’t financially supported any of the justices.

Though he would be the one to name replacements if the justices were ousted, he has worked hard to stay out of the fray.

Would he be excited to appoint Republican justices? “I would,” Haslam said before quickly distancing himself from it.

“I think it’s just really important for me to stay out of this. I’ve known Gary Wade for a long time. We were partners. Sharon Lee and I went to high school together. So I have long-standing relationships there as well. So I think it’s most appropriate for me to stay out of it.”

Nonetheless, Haslam is involved in some judicial activism. He’s pushing for a constitutional amendment on the ballot that bars Tennessee from ever directly electing Supreme Court and appellate judges. Under the current system, appeals judges are appointed by the governor, and they come up for retain or replace elections. 

Meanwhile, both sides have spent $1 million on TV ads over replacing the three judges. Most of that money has been from groups defending the justices.