WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 9, 2001 – James Wootton, President of the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, hailed the election of two pro-legal reform candidates on Tuesday, November 6 – Jerry Kilgore, who won the Virginia Attorney General race, and Judge Mike Eakin, who earned a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

“These two victories in Virginia and Pennsylvania also represent a triumph for the cause of legal reform,” Wootton said. “Attorney General-elect Kilgore and Justice-elect Eakin are outstanding leaders who understand the need for common-sense civil justice reform and have the competence and conviction to work for real change.”

Kilgore, a Republican, defeated Democrat Donald McEachin by a margin of 60% to 40%. Eakin, also a Republican, took 53% of the vote compared to his Democratic opponent, Judge Kate Ford Elliot.

“Since the founding of our nation, Virginia and Pennsylvania have been home to some of America’s most visionary public policy thinkers,” Wootton noted. “In that tradition, I am confident that Jerry Kilgore and Mike Eakin will provide wise, practical and innovative guidance that will serve as a model for states working to reduce excessive and frivolous lawsuits.”

The Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is working to make America’s legal system simpler, fairer and faster for all.

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