Democrats set sights on protecting, adding to Ohio Supreme Court seats

[In It to Win It]

Democratic judges have an uphill battle to change the 6-1 Ohio Supreme Court, where Justice Jennifer Brunner is an island unto herself in a sea of Republican justices. But she and another judge making a run for a seat in November sense a change in the winds when it comes to Democratic support, both in the judicial system and elsewhere.

“As I travel the state, I am taken by the movement, the energy, the sort of undertow that I’m sensing from the counties around the state,” Brunner said at the Ohio Democratic Party’s primary night event on Tuesday.

Brunner has been on the court since 2021, but until last year, she shared the bench with two other Democratic justices.

Races for the state’s top judicial positions were made explicitly partisan when Republican state lawmakers added party labels to the races starting in 2022. Since that change, the court has gone from 4-3 to 6-1 Republican.

“I don’t mind it,” Brunner said. “But I sure would like a little more company.”

The most recent general election in 2024 saw the defeat of Justice Melody Stewart and Justice Michael P. Donnelly, in favor of Republican justices Joe Deters and Megan Shanahan.

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/05/08/democrats-set-sights-on-protecting-adding-to-ohio-supreme-court-seats/

[jimmy the one]

1. Not sure I understand the premise

Democrats in Ohio 'set sights on protecting' their one Supreme Court seat vs. 6 republican seats, and this is something to be happy about?
I dare say a 6 - 1 republican majority will be little better than 7 - 0.
Ditto if Dems magically make it to 5 - 2.
Hope the DNC does not put much money into this effort, but good luck to them anyway.

[In It to Win It]

2. I disagree with this take generally.

With Ohio, it might be the right take but in general, I think Dems should put money into state Supreme Court races because they make a difference.

With Ohio, I don't know. Ohio might be too far gone.

However, in North Carolina, it's a 5-2 Republican majority. It is absolutely worth fighting for. One of the 2 Democratic justices is defending her seat this year on the North Carolina Supreme Court. It was a 4-3 Democratic majority three years ago, and that majority actually stopped Republicans attempt at gerrymandering the congressional map (here). To have a chance at getting that majority back, we have to hold on to this one seat that's on the ballot this year. 2028 will be our first opportunity at getting that majority back, and it won't be possible unless we keep the one seat. Maintaining that 5-2 split is worth it.