As Democrats go to the polls to select their presidential nominee for the 2020 election, it’s critical that we support candidates who understand the importance of our courts—and of who sits on them. Candidates need to speak out against the narrow-minded elitists being pushed by the Trump administration and make clear that, if elected, they’ll make it a priority to nominate fair-minded constitutionalists.

Fair minded-constitutionalists embody two key principles:

• Value equality and justice for all.
• Understand the impact of the law on all of us.

When talking about fair-minded constitutional­ists, emphasize that they:

• Respect the values of equality and justice for all
• Believe everyone should have an equal voice in our democracy
• Understand the real world and how the law impacts all of us.
• Interpret and apply the Constitution with today’s world in mind

When talking about narrow-minded elitists, emphasize that they:

• Will protect corporations, the wealthy, and the powerful over all people
• Will roll back the clock on rulings that protect historically disadvantaged groups such as the LGBTQ community, women, workers, and racial and ethnic minorities
• Will be a rubber stamp for the President

One of the most damaging aspects of Donald Trump’s presidency has been his campaign to install narrow-minded elitists on the federal courts. Narrow-minded elitists continue to hand down decisions that roll back the clock on rulings that protect historically disadvantaged groups, such as the LGBTQ community, women, workers, and racial and ethnic minorities. These decisions protect corporations, the wealthy, and the powerful and push the interests of Wall Street and extremists on all of us.

We need leaders who will nominate fair-minded constitu­tionalists who respect the values of equality and justice for all. We should demand fair-minded constitutionalists who believe everyone should have an equal voice in our democ­racy and understand the real world and how the law impacts all of us.

Immigration Fair-minded constitutionalists stand up for and protect the rights of all of us—including immigrants. We cannot allow narrow-minded elitists on the Court to be a rubber stamp for President Trump’s harmful immigration policies.

Right to Vote Fair-minded constitutionalists believe that everyone should have an equal voice in our democracy. Voter suppression laws are an affront to the equality and dignity that all people enjoy. Shelby v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act, was decided by narrow-minded elitists who denied Americans an equal voice in our democracy and rolled back the clock on laws that protect historically disadvantaged groups.

Workers’ Rights Fair-minded constitutionalists recognize that the law should provide a level playing field for everyone. That means that employees should be able to hold their employers accountable and have their day in court. We cannot allow narrow-minded elitists to continue to rule in favor of corporations, the wealthy, and the powerful.

Protecting the Environment Fair-minded constitutionalists stand up for and protect the rights of all of us – including our rights to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment. Congress passed environmental laws to protect everyone, not to protect big businesses. Narrow-minded elitists are twisting laws in favor of big businesses, protecting the wealthy and powerful over all people.

LGBTQ+ Rights Fair-minded constitutionalists understand that rooting out discrimination in our society is fundamental to the principles of equality and justice for all. We can’t allow narrow-minded elitists on the court to roll back the clock on rulings that protect LGBTQ+ people.

Women’s Equality Fair-minded constitutionalists stand up for and protect the rights of everyone – including women. Narrow-minded elitists are trying to roll back the clock on rulings like Roe v. Wade that protect women’s rights.

Religious Liberty Fair-minded constitutionalists understand that religious liberty has always been a shield to protect everyone, not a sword wielded by extremists, the wealthy, the powerful, and corporations to harm others. In the Hobby Lobby case, narrow-minded elitists went out of their way to protect a powerful corporation rather than respect the values of equality and justice for all.

Money in Politics Fair-minded constitutionalists understand the real world and how money influences elections. Citizens United was decided by nar­row-minded elitists who protect corporations, the wealth, and the powerful over all of us.

Read more about our methodology.