The Ohio Supreme Court plays a critical role in creating a fair and predictable legal environment in our state, which directly impacts our economic competitiveness. That’s why the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (OCCPaC) has been making endorsements in Supreme Court races since 1998. Today, OCCPaC announced the endorsement of Justice Sharon Kennedy and Justice Judi French in this year’s races for the high court. Both are seeking their first full six-year term. You can read our press release here.

The Supreme Court used to be a big problem for Ohio’s employers. Sometimes justices can forget that their role is to interpret the law, not to legislate from the bench. In the 1990’s, Ohio had a majority of activist justices on the Supreme Court, and the result was unpredictability and uncertainty – never a formula for economic growth. Over time, led by the involvement of the Ohio Chamber and the business community as a whole, those justices were replaced with others who better understood their role, and Ohio’s legal climate improved.

Justices Kennedy and French have shown through their careers and their service on the Supreme Court that they have a solid grasp on what it means to practice judicial restraint, leaving the legislating to the legislature. Their election to the Supreme Court will be good for business, and we plan to do everything we can to help them.

Stay tuned, as I plan to profile both races in the coming days.