OHIO SUPREME COURT Two judges compete for Dem nomination

The winner goes on to face Republican Judge Judith Lanzinger.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A Canton-based judge is taking on a Cleveland-based judge in the only Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court justice.
The Democratic race for the high court seat held by retiring Justice Francis Sweeney pits Fifth District Appeals Court Judge W. Scott Gwin of greater Canton against Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy A. Fuerst of Cleveland Heights. The Ohio primary election is March 2.
"I'm emphasizing my qualifications and my experience," said Gwin, who is endorsed by the Ohio Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, Fuerst said she believes she's the best candidate.
"I'm running because I'm eager to serve in that capacity, in the highest bench in Ohio," Fuerst said.
Gwin's background
Gwin, 52, was elected to the Fifth District Appeals Court in 1988. He was re-elected in 1994 and 2000.
Before that, Gwin served as the city of Canton's law director from 1983 to 1988 and as an assistant Ohio attorney general from 1976 to 1985. Gwin was in private practice from 1976 to 1984 focusing on criminal, personal injury, domestic and probate cases.
Gwin has a law degree from the University of Akron law school and an undergraduate degree in political science from John Carroll University. He has also served on the Supreme Court's Board of Commissioners and Grievances and is currently a board master commissioner.
Fuerst's background
Fuerst, 52, is in her second, six-year term as a Cuyahoga County common pleas judge, first elected in 1997. From 1989 until she was elected to the bench, Fuerst was a lawyer handling civil and criminal work.
Fuerst spent 15 years working in small business as well. She holds a law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of law and a bachelor's degree in economics from Cleveland State University.
The winner of the March primary advances to the Nov. 2 general election to face Sixth District Appeals Court Judge Judith Lanzinger of Toledo, a Republican.
Democratic justice candidates C. Ellen Connally of Cleveland Municipal Court and 11th District Appeals Court Judge William M. O'Neill are unopposed in the primary.
They are taking on Republicans Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and Justice Terrence O'Donnell, respectively, in the fall.
Republican Justice Paul E. Pfeifer is unopposed.
Republicans hold a 5-2 majority on the Ohio Supreme Court.