WASHINGTON – A sharply divided Supreme Court ruled yesterday that labor unions and corporations can spend unlimited amounts to influence federal elections, throwing out a ban that had been in effect for 63 years and adding an explosive new element to this year’s midterm elections. The 5-to-4 ruling dismayed lawmakers and public interest groups that fought for decades to limit the influence of wealthy special interests in politics. But it cheered those who have railed against what they see as government control of free speech in election campaigns. The decision also could provoke changes in Massachusetts law, which bans corporate spending to influence an election. Campaign finance specialists said that while the high court opinion specifically applies to federal races, the First Amendment issue cited in the ruling could end up preempting state laws or enabling new lawsuits to challenge them. The court said that corporate and labor union spending amounted to free speech and should be constitutionally protected. ‘The censorship we now confront is vast in its reach,” Justice Anthony Kennedy said in the majority opinion. The justices left in place the dollar limits for contributions to candidates by individuals and political action committees. In […]