Four Republicans are running for a chance to unseat Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner, the sole Democrat holding statewide office in Ohio.
Republican voters will make their pick on May 5.
The Ohio Republican Party did not endorse in the four-way race between Fifth District Court of Appeals Judge Andrew King, Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger, Second District Court of Appeals Judge Ron Lewis and former Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Colleen O’Donnell.
Supreme Court decisions impact how much Ohioans pay in taxes, whether utility companies can add fees to ratepayers’ bills, how insurance and business laws are interpreted, what government records will be available to the public and more. The court also interprets constitutional amendments, such as the reproductive rights amendment that voters approved in November 2023.
Justices are elected to six-year terms. Republicans currently hold six of the seven seats.
Brunner was unchallenged in the Democratic primary.
The second seat did not have a primary in either party. Incumbent Republican Justice Dan Hawkins will face Democratic Appellate Judge Marilyn Zayas in the fall.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Republicans battle in 4‑way primary for Ohio Supreme Court seat
Reporting by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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