Imagine you are a state judge running for reelection and are challenged by a popular lawyer in town, who is known as a champion for the poor. The latest poll indicated that you were five percentage points behind your opponent. A local labor union with 20,000 due-paying members comes to you to offer not only large donations, but also actual union member votes, which would assure your victory. You know that the same union has filed a lawsuit in your court requesting that the current state law governing the amount of political contributions by labor unions be lifted. Would you accept their support?
If yes, how would you justify your decision ethically?