Prof. Painter Quoted in Star Tribune Editorial on Recount in Election for Governor

Professor Richard Painter was quoted in an editorial in the Star Tribune on litigation over the recount in the close election between Mark Dayton and Tom Emmer for governor. The editorial took the position that former Chief Justice Eric Magnuson was unwisely working as lead lawyer for Emmer shortly after leaving the Supreme Court. The editorial then quoted Professor Painter stating, "There ought to be a debate about it." Painter is an expert on judicial ethics at the Law School and served as chief ethics adviser for the Bush White House from 2005-2007. "Judges need to be careful about this stuff, and there should be clear rules to limit these kind of problems," he said. Painter suggested a "cooling off" period of one or two years, similar to federal rules that prohibit government officials from becoming lobbyists right after they leave office.