DO NOT underestimate the importance of Ohio Supreme Court races

There has been much talk about the importance of the presidential election because of the Supreme Court justices that President Clinton or Trump will appoint. Those are critical issues.

Ohio Supreme Court (OSC) justices are elected, not appointed. This year there are three OSC seats up for election. Buckeye Firearms Association PAC has endorsed in all three races. Those endorsed candidates are:

Judge Pat Fischer

Judge Pat DeWine

Justice Maureen O'Connor

Two of those three races are open seats. In 2018, there will be two more open seats. That means a majority of the OSC will be elected in the next 25 months. Consider the significance of that situation.

Historically, about one third of people voting for President don'’t vote for down ticket election. It is critical that we all vote for our endorsed candidates and educate our friends and acquaintances. Most people do not know the OSC candidates much less know their viewpoint on various issues. Those people generally welcome suggestions from those who do have knowledge.

Our battles in the legislature are hard fought. We have seen those good laws challenged all the way to our Supreme Court, and without good justices all of our other victories become meaningless. If Hillary Clinton wins the presidency and appoints justices who overturn Heller and McDonald, the OSC becomes even more important as a firewall to protect Ohio firearm laws.

In short, these are critical races. The candidates need your vote. They need your support. We need you to help spread the word about these races to others who don't follow our endorsements.

Jim Irvine is Chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association Political Action Committee (BFA-PAC). He is also Board President of Buckeye Firearms Association, and recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 "Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award," the CCRKBA's 2012 "Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award," and the SAF's 2015 "Defender of Freedom Award."