Brown Will Take on O'Connor for State's Chief Justice

A central Ohio judge has announced his candidacy for chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, taking on Republican Maureen O'Connor.

Judge Eric Brown, currently serving in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, has the backing of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern.

"Regular, hard-working Ohioans deserve a voice at the helm of the Ohio Supreme Court, and I will be that voice," he said during a press conference in Columbus Feb. 2.

He added later, "Throughout my career of more than 30 years of practicing law and serving the public, I've developed a keen understanding of how law and courts impact the everyday lives of Ohioans."

All seven current Supreme Court justices are Republicans, including O'Connor, who received more votes in the November 2008 election than any other candidate on the ballot, including President Barack Obama.

But Strickland said he personally asked Brown to run for chief justice to help bring balance to the court.

"I know him well enough to know that he is dedicated to the constitution, to the rule of law and to justice," Strickland said. "Judge Brown will bring impartiality to the court ... I believe justice is best achieved when the makeup of the judiciary is balanced..."

...Brown is the second Democrat running for Supreme Court; 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp is seeking the seat currently held by Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger.

Trapp also has the backing of Strickland and Redfern.

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