Washington, DC
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Pat Tornillo was executive director of the Classroom Teachers Association and a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in Dade County, Florida. The Miami Herald published two editorials criticizing Tornillo and his candidacy. He demanded that the Herald publish his responses to the editorials.
When the Herald refused, Tornillo sued in Dade County Circuit Court under Florida Statute Section 104.38, which granted political candidates criticized by any newspaper the right to have their responses to the criticisms published. The Herald challenged the statute as a violation of the free press clause of the First Amendment.
The Circuit Court ruled that the statute was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court of Florida reversed this decision. The case eventually ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Updated:
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 4:14pm (ET)