Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has drawn criticism from liberals and some legal experts for launching Liberty Central Inc., a conservative activist organization linked to the Tea Party movement.
The non-profit group plans to rank members of Congress on their performance and be involved in the November election, although Virginia Thomas has not specified how. Liberty Central also will accept campaign contributions from corporations, which are now able to donate more than ever thanks to a recent ruling by the high court that her husband sided with.
“I adore all the new citizen patriots who are rising up across this country,” Thomas reportedly said at the Conservative Political Action Conference. “I have felt called to the front lines with you, with my fellow citizens, to preserve what made America great.”
Virginia Thomas has long been active in conservative politics, lobbying against comparable-worth legislation and the Family Leave Act, and working for former Republican Congressman Dick Armey of Texas and for the Heritage Foundation.
Her husband, who consistently sides with the court’s conservative and corporate wing, has publicly said he steers clear of partisanship activity, including going so far as to avoid the State of the Union address because he feels even that is too partisan.
-Noel Brinkerhoff