Republican victories signals shift in Supreme Court
Republican victories in two races for the Ohio Supreme Court figure to mark a philosophical shift in a court that has increasingly come under attack.
The elections on Tuesday of incumbent Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor are expected to switch a 4-3 majority on many issues, including school funding, insurance and lawsuit liability cases. Currently, a 4-3 majority has ruled in favor of labor unions and trial lawyers.
O'Connor's victory gives conservatives another vote on those issues, in contrast to the votes of retiring Justice Andrew Douglas, who often joined the pro-labor majority.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Stratton defeated Democratic Judge Janet Burnside of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court 55 percent to 45 percent.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, O'Connor defeated Democrat Tim Black, a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge, 57 percent to 43 percent.
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