“If the voters choose to have elections, it will be more transparent, it will be more open.”

Kansas state Rep. Susan Humphries. The Republican lawmaker from Wichita was speaking in favor of a proposal, placed by legislators on the ballot next year, to change the state’s method of selecting judges from gubernatorial appointment to direct elections. Democratic governors have appointed a majority of current justices. Gov. Laura Kelly and other Democrats say judicial elections are a recipe for dark money and more partisanship. (New York Times — March 20, 2025)