Oregon Public Broadcasting

Idaho Supreme Court Justice Roger Burdick has overcome a challenge by a north Idaho trial court judge in an unusually active judicial race.

In Idaho's primary election, Burdick easily defeated District Court Judge John Bradbury from Lewiston by a wide margin.

Even in defeat, Bradbury argued Idaho's judicial system needs to be reformed to give more people access to the state's courts.

John Bradbury: "The only organizations that can afford the legal system today are corporations that have money or indigent defendants who get free lawyers."

He also argued the five-member court needs a justice who represents north Idaho.

Burdick countered by questioning Bradbury's effectiveness as a trial court judge.

The race featured a last-minute campaign by a well-funded group called Idaho Citizens for Justice to defeat the challenger.

Burdick wins a second term on the Idaho Supreme Court. He was appointed in 2003 by former Governor Dirk Kempthorne and re-elected in 2004.