COLUMUBUS, Ohio — At least two justices on the Ohio Supreme Court are eyeing the chief justice position and plan to campaign for the top judicial seat in 2022.
Democrat Jennifer Brunner and Republican Patrick DeWine are planning to run for chief justice next year. These two, and potentially another Republican on the court, want to replace the sitting Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor.
O’Connor, a Republican, is barred from running for another term. Ohio’s age limitation law restricts judges from campaigning for reelection after turning 70 years old.
This age limit rule may play a factor in the upcoming chief justice election. Complicating things further is the overall judicial landscape in Ohio that could hurt Democrats’ standing on the court — even if Brunner or another Democrat wins the top spot.