NRT briefing
California Police Union Campaigns Against Supreme Court Justice Kelli Evans
Based on reporting by Cal Matters.
The Brief
California’s largest law enforcement union, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), is urging voters to reject Supreme Court Justice Kelli Evans in her retention election, arguing her dissents could reopen criminal cases. PORAC leaders concede the effort likely won’t unseat Evans, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022, but call it a warning to the judiciary over recent laws expanding parole and release opportunities, including the Racial Justice Act.
The campaign echoes the 1986 ouster of three California justices over death penalty rulings, though PORAC lacks similar political power. Evans declined to comment, while legal scholars call the campaign a threat to judicial independence; Erwin Chemerinsky noted it hasn’t gained traction. California judges face retention elections but rarely campaign, and PORAC contends the laws conflict with voter sentiment, citing Proposition 36.
This news briefing was prepared and checked with AI, then published automatically. No human review is recorded for this version. Read about our checks or report a correction.