WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following tonight’s Democratic presidential primary debate, PFAW Executive Vice President for Policy and Program Marge Baker released the following statement:
“We applaud the fact that finally the issue of the federal courts, and specifically the Supreme Court, came up at tonight’s Democratic presidential primary debate. The courts will play a critical part in the kind of democracy candidates talked about this evening: one that works for all of us, not just for the powerful and privileged. Democrats understand the need to repair the harm done to our democracy by President Trump and to institute reforms to achieve a vibrant and inclusive democracy, and that can only happen if the courts are a key part of the next Democratic president’s agenda. Courts are absolutely critical when it comes to virtually every right and freedom we have in this country, so it’s vital that voters know what kinds of judges and justices the next president will appoint. And it’s just not true anymore than only Republicans consider the federal courts an electoral issue.”
PFAW recently launched its #VoteTheCourts2020 campaign to elevate the issue of federal courts in the 2020 election. The campaign urges candidates to describe their vision for the courts and judges and justices they would appoint, and encourages voters to remember the importance of the courts when they go to the voting booth. Recent(2019) data show that voters in battleground states see the courts as a reason to vote for Democrats. Associated Press polling after the 2018 midterms showed that voters who named the Supreme Court as an important factor in their votes tended to choose Democrats.
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.
###