Bangladesh, Sept. 24 -- American judicial elections are becoming an increasingly important arena in the country's broader political and ideological conflicts. For years, national political organizations, advocacy groups, labor unions, nonprofit networks, and wealthy donors have invested heavily in elections for prosecutors and other local offices. A newer concern is whether similar political networks are increasingly targeting judicial races-particularly lower-level and state courts, where relatively small amounts of money and organized grassroots activity can have a significant effect.

Critics of this trend often describe it as a "Soros strategy," referring to billionaire philanthropist George Soros and organizations associated with hi...