Yesterday, I wrote about four midterm races in which tort reform played a role. Unfortunately, in each case, the candidate supporting tort reform won the election.
Incumbent US Senator and minority leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), defeated challenger Alison Grimes with 56% of the vote. The Republican party now controlling the Senate, Mr. McConnell is set to become the US Senate majority leader. Mitch McConnell has touted his support for tort reform publicly many times.
Thad Cochran (R-MS) took 60.4% of the vote to retain his US Senate seat. In that race, a great deal of outside money helped Mr. Cochran win, running ads depicting his opponent as a “self-serving trial lawyer who argued Mississippi’s tort reform is unconstitutional.” (Politico)
Former US Congressman from the Arkansas Third District, Republican Asa Hutchinson defeated Mike Ross to become governor of that state. Mr. Hutchinson took 55% of the vote, and Mr. Ross took 41%. Asa Hutchinson campaigned on seeking a constitutional amendment for tort reform.
Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA, 1st District) was defeated by Republican challenger Joni Ernst, who took 52% of votes in a race for one of two US Senate seats there. Supporters of the Ernst campaign opponent ran an ad depicting Mr. Braley as a “chicken” for opposing tort reform.
Hopefully, the campaign promises regarding tort reform made by each of these candidates will be broken.
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