Judicial Crisis Network
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| Judicial Crisis Network | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Carrie Severino, Chief counsel and policy director |
| Website: | Official website |
The Judicial Crisis Network is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy group that aims to support individuals who, in its view, believe in a limited government according to the Constitution, as well as legislation and legal efforts that do the same.[1]
Mission
As of March 2017, the website for the Judicial Crisis Network listed the following mission statement for the organization:[2]
| “ |
The Judicial Crisis Network is dedicated to strengthening liberty and justice in America. Our commitment is to the Constitution and the Founders’ vision of a nation of limited government; dedicated to the rule of law; with a fair and impartial judiciary. Every American deserves equal justice under law. Our operational mission is to promote this vision at every level and branch of government – and to educate and organize citizens to participate in this mission.[3] |
” |
Background
Initially named the Judicial Confirmation Network, the 501(c)(4) was founded in 2005 by Gary A. Marx, along with a small group. Marx acted as the executive director until 2011.[2][4] The organization originally promoted the judicial nominees of President George W. Bush (R).[5]
Work
According to its website, the Judicial Crisis Network "support[s] legislative and legal efforts which oppose attempts to undermine the rule of law; unconstitutionally expand the power of government; politicize the enforcement of the law; threaten American sovereignty; supplant American law with foreign or international law; or bias the legal system on behalf of politically favored groups or individuals."[6]
Issue advocacy
The Judicial Crisis Network has been active in the election and appointment of various judges and legislators. The group often supports chosen legislation, appointees, and candidates through media advertising.
| "How Could You, Bridget McCormack" ad by the Judicial Crisis Network in October 2012 |
State Supreme Court elections, 2012
The Judicial Crisis Network released advertisements in the 2012 Michigan court races, a portion of which opposed Bridget McCormack as a candidate to the Michigan Supreme Court. Other ads opposed the incumbents of Michigan's 6th Circuit Court and supported two 2012 challengers, Deborah Carley and William Rollstin. The Judicial Crisis Network also used direct mailings as a means of advocacy in these elections.[7][8]
Regarding the same 2012 judicial elections, the Brennan Center for Justice, a progressive, nonprofit policy center, reported, "In 2012, three interest groups – the state Democratic and Republican parties and Washington D.C.-based Judicial Crisis Network – together outspent the high-court candidates by roughly 3:1."[9]
U.S. Supreme Court nominations, 2016
The Judicial Crisis Network launched a $2 million ad campaign in 2016 called "Let the People Decide" that thanked vulnerable senators for their resistance to Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, and encouraged future resistance. The campaign also included an ad that called for Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) to oppose Garland's nomination. Additionally, the group launched other miscellaneous ads opposing Garland's nomination and Obama nominees in general. The most specific opposition centers around Garland's record on the 2nd Amendment and abortion.[10][11][12]
According to Open Secrets, The Daily Beast, and the Judicial Crisis Network's own website, the JCN also supported and worked towards the nomination and appointment of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, who are commonly considered more conservative justices of the Supreme Court.[4][13][14]
A few of the 2016 Judicial Crisis Network ads opposing Obama's Supreme Court nominee are shown below:
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Neil Gorsuch confirmation advertisements
On January 9, 2017, Politico reported that the JCN planned to spend $10 million on advertisements aiming to sway some Democrats into supporting President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.[15] On January 31, after Trump announced he had nominated Neil Gorsuch for the position, the JCN launched a $2 million advertising campaign for television and online ads. Fox News reported that the initial ad buy was for Washington, D.C., Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, and Montana. These states were all won by Trump in 2016 and were represented by Democratic senators up for re-election in 2018.[5] The group’s ad in Indiana—aimed at Sen. Joe Donnelly (D)—stated, “Joe Donnelly has a chance to confirm a Supreme Court nominee with Indiana values. Neil Gorsuch is fair and devoted to the Constitution. Tell Joe Donnelly, confirm Gorsuch.”[16]
Political activity
Ballot measure activity
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details the Judicial Crisis Network’s ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for the Judicial Crisis Network | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| Nebraska Death Penalty Repeal, Referendum 426 | 2016 | Supported[17] | Repealed |
Leadership
As of March 2017, Carrie Severino was the chief counsel and policy director.[2]
Tax status
The Judicial Crisis Network is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) status refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning social welfare organizations.[18] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[19] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections listing specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, however, donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the contribution. 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. This includes donations to political committees that support or oppose ballot measures, bond issues, recalls, or referenda.
- See also: 501(c)(4) organizations on Ballotpedia
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Judicial Crisis Network'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Center for Public Integrity, "Judicial Crisis Network," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Judicial Crisis Network, "About," accessed March 23, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Judicial Crisis Network, "Gary Marx," July 11, 2009
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fox News, "Conservative group launches $10M campaign to support Trump's Supreme Court pick," January 31, 2017
- ↑ Center for Public Integrity, "Judicial Crisis Network," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Campaign Finance Network, "A Citizen’s Guide to Michigan Campaign Finance, 2012," accessed April 8, 2016
- ↑ Oakland Press, "Attack ads muddy Oakland County Circuit Court races," November 3, 2012
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "TV Ad Spending in Michigan Supreme Court Race Surges Past $1 Million," October 10, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Joe Manchin is one Democrat who is not yet sold on Merrick Garland," April 6, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Judicial Crisis Network plans $2 million ad campaign opposing Obama's court pick," March 16, 2016
- ↑ Washington Times, "Ad campaign thanks vulnerable GOP senators for standing firm on SCOTUS pick," February 18, 2016
- ↑ Open Secrets, "Wellspring gives big boost to Judicial Crisis Network with $6.6 million grant," November 24, 2015
- ↑ The Daily Beast, "The JCN Story: How to Build a Secretive, Right-Wing Judicial Machine," March 23, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "Conservatives plan $10 million high court ad campaign," January 9, 2017
- ↑ YouTube, "Judicial Crisis Network," accessed March 23, 2017
- ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Campaign Statements," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
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