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
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Judge Colleen O’Toole |
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| 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 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!