Swearing-in day for interim Ohio chief justice is today

COLUMBUS (AP) — It’s a day of transition at the Ohio Supreme Court, where an interim chief justice will be sworn in to replace the longtime chief who died last month.

Judge Eric Brown today will be administered his oath of office for the chief justice seat by Justice Paul Pfeifer, who has been serving as acting chief since the unexpected death of Chief Justice Thomas Moyer on April 2.

Democrat Brown was named by Gov. Ted Strickland to serve the remaining eight months of Moyer’s term on the all-Republican court.

The Franklin County probate court judge in Columbus will face Justice Maureen O’Connor in the November election for a full term as chief justice.

Republican Moyer, who was 70, had led Ohio’s highest court since 1987.