ATLANTA — Much attention is being paid to the US Supreme Court vacancy, but equally partisan battles are being waged for control of state courts around the nation.

In states where voters elect Supreme Court judges, millions of dollars are being spent to reshape the courts for years to come.

Judicial watchdogs say spending by national groups overwhelmingly favors judges on the right of the political spectrum and is mostly aimed at maintaining or improving the courts’ responses to corporate interests while countering spending by interest groups.

Lawmakers are busy, too, debating proposals to tip the balance of power by expanding or reducing their court’s size.

“Who sits on state courts can have a profound impact on the legal landscape in a state, and special interest groups and politicians are increasingly paying attention,’’ said Alicia Bannon with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

Associated Press