With 3 new justices, some say rest of court safe

With the Iowa Supreme Court set to return to its full complement of seven members, some wonder whether efforts to oust justices who supported a gay marriage ruling will resume.

Gov. Terry Branstad last week appointed three people to the court, filling vacancies that arose when voters removed three judges over the 2009 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage.

Another justice who backed the ruling will be up for a retention vote in 2012, and three others will be on the 2016 ballot.

Bob Vander Plaats, who led the campaign to remove the three justices, says he thinks activists will campaign for removal of the four justices.

University of Iowa political science professor Timothy Hagle says he doubts those justices will be removed as interest in the ruling wanes over time.