KEY RACE: Columbus Dispatch Endorses Stratton & O'Connor for Supreme Court

Yet another major Ohio newspaper has endorsed Justice Evelyn Stratton (R) and Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor (R) for Ohio Supreme Court.

According to the Dispatch, "The biggest problem facing the Ohio Supreme Court is the polarization and politicization that has grown more marked over the past decade."

"The greatest need on the high court is for justices who are independent, impartial, deliberative and devoted to applying the law, not to rewriting it."

"As a step toward building a court that understands the limits of its role in the constitutional system, The Dispatch recommends that voters on Nov. 5 retain incumbent Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and elect Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor."

"Evelyn Lundberg Stratton (R) is running for a second, six-year term on the Supreme Court. Stratton, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in March 1996 and won election to a full term that November, has built a reputation for integrity, hard work and attention to detail."

"When the court has split 4-3 on important cases, Stratton usually has been among the three who have stood up for the principle that the judiciary should avoid making policy. Her voice and outlook are critically needed".

"Maureen O'Connor (R) vies for the open seat created by the retirement of Justice Andrew Douglas. O'Connor's judicial experience is at a higher level than her opponent, Tim Black (D). And Black cannot match the breadth of O'Connor's public service."

"When it comes to the judiciousness that each candidate would bring to the
high court, Black has compromised himself. When he won the Democratic nod
in January to run for this position, he declared, 'This is labor's seat.' Since then, Black has said he regrets making the remark, and so he should. The job of a Supreme Court justice is to represent the law, not a special interest."

The Columbus Dispatch joins the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Toledo Blade and the Canton Repository (not to mention OFCC PAC!) in its enthusiastic support for Stratton and O'Connor for the Ohio Supreme Court.