Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner visits Chillicothe

CHILLICOTHE— Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner (D) made a stop in Chillicothe last week during her campaign trail. While in town she visited the Atwood House to fundraise and get to know people.

Brunner is currently one of seven justices that serve on the Ohio Supreme Court. Born and raised in Ohio, Brunner graduated from Miami University with a degree in sociology-gerontology and from law school at Capital University Law School. She has 17 years of private law practice experience, served as an elected state appeals court judge in Franklin County, served as Ohio’s first female Secretary of State and received the bipartisan John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her public service.

Brunner has also advocated for relief for global poverty, supported the LGBTQ+ community and helped support mental health organizations in Ohio

This November, Brunner is running to be the 11th Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She was actually encouraged to run by the current Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor. If Brunner wins she believes she has past experiences that will help her excel in the position.

"Leadership starts with an understanding and a vision of the mission," said Brunner.

If Brunner wins in November, her current seat in the court will be filled by a candidate chosen by the governor. This appointment would last until her term is over. If Brunner does not win the election for Chief Justice she will maintain her current seat until the end of her term on January 1, 2027.

In an opinion column published in the Columbus Dispatch Justice Brunner wrote of the partisan attacks on the court that impact the public's confidence in judges and the judiciary system. She urges people to think critically when the judiciary is attacked.

While the country can feel very divided by parties at times Brunner is glad to see the Ohio Supreme Court has not split into parties.

"I think we all try to work across partisan lines, said Brunner. "Partisanship really shouldn't be part of the equation to get the rule of law right."

She is pleased when split decisions happen in the court and it isn't the same people on either side. Brunner thinks the willingness to work together and not vote on party lines helps maintain the independence of the court.

One section of Brunner's job that has been highly debated has been the approval of Ohio redistricting maps. She believes that the court has given a lot of guidance and hopes that Ohioans will see a finalized map that fits the requirements they voted on soon.

Also at the fundraiser was justice candidate Judge Terri Jamison (D) who is running for a spot in the Ohio Supreme Court. Jamison grew up in West Virginia and was a certified coal miner, but now calls Ohio home.

Jamison was elected judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch in 2012, reelected to the Common Pleas bench in 2018, and then elected to the Tenth District Court of Appeals in 2020.

She said she is running to help make court resources more transparent and available to those who need them. She hopes to remove the burdensome cost and delays that come with going to court. Jamison also believes that the court should stay independent as a way to maintain the checks and balances system.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner visits Chillicothe