LWVPA denounces billionaire-funded disinformation campaign targeting Supreme Court retention election
As the saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Or, in this case, women voters.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) called out the special interest groups and political action committees that it says are misleading voters ahead of the State Supreme Court retention election.
“The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania is here today to set the record straight,” said Amy Widestrom, Executive Director of LWVPA, during a Thursday press conference. “These materials are false and deliberately misstate both the facts of the 2018 League case and the Court’s constitutional role. When lawmakers refused to fix their unconstitutional map, the Court appointed an independent expert to draw fairer districts that reflected the will of the voters. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court didn’t gerrymander a map — it ended one. It didn’t act political; it acted constitutionally.”
The retention elections — in which voters will decide whether Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht get more time on the bench — are seen as critical in Republican circles. The 2018 League case refers to a lawsuit filed by the LWVPA and a group of Democratic Pennsylvania voters to have the state’s 2011 congressional map invalidated as an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander under the state constitution.
The LWVPA called the briefing to express concerns about what they call is the spread of billionaire-funded misinformation aimed at confusing voters and eroding public trust in the judiciary. Ads from special interests and PACs like the Commonwealth Leaders Fund, largely funded by Jeffrey Yass, cofounder of Susquehanna International Group and Pennsylvania’s richest man, have flooded the market and distort the facts of the League’s landmark 2018 redistricting case and misrepresent the role of Pennsylvania’s highest court.
LWVPA Board President Susan Gobreski did not fault the campaign, but criticized the tactics.
“Campaigning is one thing, spin is another – but deliberately false information is an abuse of the system,” said Gobreski. “This is what Elon Musk tried to do in Wisconsin, use his wealth to try to buy an election. We don’t want these Musk-style tactics in Pennsylvania. This is yet another reminder that we need campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. There’s a big difference between free speech and paid deception. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but no one has the right to lie to voters and call it democracy. These mailers should be pulled.”
On its website, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania says it “encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate but does take — and always has taken — stands on issues its members have studied.”
“At the League of Women Voters in Pittsburgh, we’ve heard from voters who are genuinely confused by these mailers that cite the League’s name,” said Ruth Quint, Co-President of LWV Pittsburgh. “This is a real disservice to Pennsylvania voters. The League works hard every day to provide the facts voters need.”
Michele Emerson, President of the LWV-Capitol Region noted that “This is part of a growing national pattern of ultra-wealthy individuals using their money to confuse voters, undermine trust in elections, and weaken independent courts.”
“Voters have to believe that our justice system is fair, impartial, and free from financial influence,” said Ilene Sheinson, President of LWV-Bucks County. “This trust is undermined by wealthy interests spreading misinformation to shape election outcomes”
Widestrom urged voters to rely on credible, nonpartisan sources for election information:
“Pennsylvania voters deserve better. Visit Vote411.org or the League’s website to learn how retention elections work and why fair courts matter. Together, we can reject disinformation and protect our courts — and our democracy — from those who seek to distort it for their own gain.”
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA.
