Legal reporter L.L. Brasier of The Detroit Free Press had a hand-wringer yesterday about campaign spending among candidates for Michigan’s 6th Circuit Court judicial race. The article frets that this year’s race could be one of the “most contested … in Oakland County history.” Funny, but I thought competition among candidates was a good thing in a democracy.

At any rate, the main concern raised by the article is the amount of money expected to be spent in pursuit of a seat on the Oakland County bench. In the article, Braiser quotes Justice at Stake, swallowing hook, line and sinker the notion that it’s just another non-partisan, good government group.

There are a few facts Braiser and The Free Press ought to know as they do their reporting:

1. Justice at Stake is hardly non-partisan. The outfit is bankrolled by billionaire hedge fund kingpin George Soros and is part of a campaign that is spending millions to try to abolish the right of citizens to choose judicial candidates in democratic elections. The reason? They want activist judges on the bench who can’t get elected if the people have any say in the matter.

2. While recent judicial elections have gotten more expensive, there is no evidence that appointed judges are more independent than elected judges. In fact, a study by three legal scholars published by the University of Chicago Law School found that “[j]udges subject to partisan election have the highest independence.” For more on this study, read here.

3. Expect Justice at Stake to come out with a public opinion survey soon that purports to show how “concerned” Michigan residents are about the “perception” that judges are unduly influenced by campaign contributions.

Of course, Justice at Stake is free to spend Mr. Soros’ millions however they see fit. But Michigan voters need to know what their real game is – and the Michigan press has a duty to report it.