(RALEIGH) -- The state law allowing judicial candidates who get public financing for a campaign to have access to state money, if their privately funded opponent spends more than they do, is being challenged in court. Bob Numbers with Winston-Salem's Womble Carlyle law firm said the U-S Supreme Court recently ruled systems like North Carolina's are unconstitutional.

"Because it unduly burdened the privately funded candidate or the third party because they were faced with the choice of either not speaking or speaking and by doing so providing the opposing viewpoint with additional financing," said Numbers.

The law is being challenged in federal court by North Carolina Right To Life. The group has filed suit against seven state officials including state Attorney General Roy Cooper and State Board of Elections Chair Larry Leake.

The Supreme Court recently ruled a similar law in Arizona was unconstitutional.

(Thanks to: WWNC)