The Supreme Court's announcement Monday that it will hear challenges to President Obama's health care law have put the spotlight on Justice Elena Kagan, who worked in the administration while the law was being written and, conservatives argue, helped craft its legal defense.
Campaign fundraising for elections to the nation's top state courts has doubled to more than $200 million over the past decade, fueled partly by superspending individuals and groups investing big money to influence down-ticket races, according to a study released Monday.
Mr. Sample said that "hints" that there won't be a recusal later, but that it's not definitive because a justice can decide any time between now and when a ruling is issued in the case.
"I'm not a betting man, but, I guess I'd say I'd be very surprised if any of the justices recuse in this case," Mr. Sample said. "It is going to be a major issue, but it's going to be a major issue outside the U.S. Supreme Court building."
