On September 2, 2025, Jaxon White published an article titled “Advocates urge depoliticization, ‘Yes’ vote for Pa. Supreme Court justices’ retention” in WITF.
Shanin Specter, a University of Pennsylvania law professor and son of former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, argued the judges deserve to retain their seats because they have ruled impartially on key issues and have earned the endorsement of the nonpartisan Pennsylvania Bar Association.
“They do not have an agenda except to do justice,” Specter said. “It’s my hope that they are resoundingly retained so as to send a message to those who would take down a judge or justice simply for partisan political advantage.”
Kadida Kenner, founder of New Pennsylvania Project and co-chair of the state’s chapter of Why Courts Matter, said she, too, is supporting the judges facing a retention vote because of their impartiality
“Robes that these judges and justices wear are black, they’re not red, they’re not blue,” Kenner said. “Justices and judges wear black robes for the people, not for the political parties.”
Why Courts Matter is an independent, nonpartisan group that does not make political endorsements. But its co-chair, Kenner, also leads the New Pennsylvania Project, which is a progressive organization that typically backs Democratic candidates and their issues.
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