James A. Brogan Answers Questions

Candidate for
Judge; Supreme Court; 6 Year Term Starting 1/1/01

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Would you support public financing for judicial candidates? Why or why not?

: 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.

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?

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."

3. What do you see as your role on the Supreme Court in reducing the backlogs on lower courts?

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.