Ohio Supreme Court Primary Candidates

As you know, Ohio’s March 15 primary is only a week away. While most of the focus is on the presidential race, that’s not the only contest you’ll see on your ballot. If you choose a Republican ballot, there’s also a contested primary for one of the seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. This is the first time there has been a contested primary in a Republican Supreme Court race in more than 20 years.

The Ohio Chamber and our members have played a central role in helping to elect a majority of justices who refrain from judicial activism and legislating from the bench, and we must continue to make it a priority. While the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee has not made an endorsement in this contested primary campaign, we thought it might be helpful to provide you with some information about the two Republican candidates squaring off against one another for the seat currently held by retiring incumbent Justice Judith Lanzinger.

Judge Pat Fischer

fisher

 

Judge Colleen O’Tooleotoole
Hometown  Cincinnati  Painesville
Judicial Experience  Appellate Judge, 1st District Court of Appeals, 2011-present  Appellate Judge, 11th District Court of Appeals, 2005-2011, 2013-present
Professional Background Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp, concentraiting in commercial and complex nationwide litigation, with emphasis on financial services, securities, antitrust and ERISA,

1991-2010

Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp, 1987-1991

Founder, On Demand Interpretation Services, 2011-present

Private practice, focusing on criminal, civil and family law, 1996-2005

Litigation Manager, National Interstate Company, 1995-1996

Judicial Philosophy “I have a conservative judicial philosophy, meaning I enforce and strictly follow the Constitution and do not legislate from the bench.” “I consider myself to be a fairly strict constructionist.”
Campaign Financial Support Raised                    $292,957
Individuals                   54%
Labor unions               0%
Law firms                     16%
PACs                              25%
Party organizations    5%
Raised                $22,250
Individuals               75%
Labor unions            23%
Law firms                   2%
PACs                            0%
Party organizations  0%
Significant Campaign Endorsements Ohio Manufacturers’ Association PAC

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Ohio Republican Party

Ohio Right to Life PAC

Citizens for Community Values Action PAC  co-endorsed

Ohioans For Concealed Carry

Citizens for Community Values Action PAC co-endorsed

Ohio State Bar Association Rating “Highly recommended”  “Not recommended”
TV Commercial  https://t.co/90gR7EVhCc

The winner of this primary will face Democrat Judge John O’Donnell in November. Whomever you decide to support on March 15, be sure to vote!