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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Campaign finance,
Appointment of Justices,
Backlogs on lower courts
Click on a name for other candidate information.
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1. Would you support public financing for judicial candidates? Why or why not?
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Answer from James A. Brogan:
: I would support public financing for judicial candidates. Running for political office is very expensive and it deters good people from considering running for judicial office. Public financing would eliminate the influence of vested interest groups on judicial decision-making and it would restore public confidence in the judicial system.
Answer from Timothy S. Black:
We need to reduce the perceived and real influences that financial contributions from special interest groups can have over the election of judges. Also, judicial candidates should not need to be millionaires.
Answer from Deborah Cook:
Though my personal view would have little affect on the subject since such a decision would be made by law makers rather than judges, I would favor a fair public financing plan.
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2. Would you support a voluntary system in which the Governor would appoint Justices to fill vacancies from a pool of qualified applicants selected by a bipartisan group? Why or why not?
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Answer from Timothy S. Black:
Yes. The chief executive should fill vacancies based upon merit, not politics.
Answer from James A. Brogan:
Yes. I have publicly supported the plan but the governor has not supported it because of political opposition within his own party. Although vacancies seldom occur on the Supreme Court, the replacement should be based on a person's merit and not because of that person's political party or political "connections."
Answer from Deborah Cook:
If the Governor were to initiate such a system for filling vacancies, of course I would support the system as a member of the judiciary. But a justice of the Supreme Court has no part in such political decisions.
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3. What do you see as your role on the Supreme Court in reducing the backlogs on lower courts?
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Answer from Timothy S. Black:
The Supreme Court should be pro-active in requiring lower courts to reduce backlogs. The Supreme Court can address the backlogs through its supervision of lower court judges and by appointment of visiting judges if and when necessary.
Answer from Deborah Cook:
Increased and compulsory use of alternative dispute resolutions [also referred to as "complementary" dispute resolutions] procedures is an important available approach. The Courts Futures Commission, on which I serve, will issue proposals that will address the backlog issues.
Answer from James A. Brogan:
The court should insist that judges dispense justice in a timely manner or face disciplinary action. The court should expand the role of small claims courts and programs for alternate dispute resolutions.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League, but formatted for Web display.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice: Total words for th answer to the question may not exceed 50 words. The word limit must be observed. Words over the limit will bee cut off in published information.
U.S. Senate: Total words in answer to the question may not exceed 100 words. The word limit must be observeds. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
