On May 12, U.S. District Court Judge Amul R. Thapar, a Bush Jr. appointee, struck down some Kentucky regulations that inhibit speech by judges and judicial candidates. Kentucky elects all its state judges in non-partisan elections. The case is Winter v Wolnitzek, e.d., 14-119.

The invalidated regulations: (1) ban judicial candidates from campaigning as a member of a political organization; (2) ban judicial candidates from making speeches for or against a political organization or candidate; (3) ban them from contributing to a party or a candidate; (4) ban them from engaging in any other political activity except activity on behalf of measures to improve; (5) bans them from making pledges or promises with regard to issues. Thanks to Chris Wiest for this news.

This Washington Post story seems to be the first story in mainstream media that discusses at length the current contest for the Libertarian presidential nomination. The story only covers Gary Johnson, Austin Petersen, and John McAfee.

Nevertheless, although the article is thus incomplete, this seems to be the first time since 1996 that major media has covered the race for the presidential nomination of any party other than the Republican and Democratic Parties. The media did cover the Reform Party’s internal nominating contest in 1996. That was between Ross Perot and former Governor Dick Lamm.

The Reform Party also had a big contest for its presidential nomination in 2000, but little attention was paid to the struggle between Pat Buchanan and John Hagelin.

The Pirate Party has three seats in Iceland’s Parliament. According to this story, it is leading in polls for the next election. Iceland awards public funding to parties based on poll results, so the Pirate Party is about to be well-funded. Thanks to Eric Garris for the link.